The use of duralumin in the construction of aircraft makes an account of the properties of this material desirable especially with reference to its working qualities as developed by experience

Schmidt, E

Unger, E

English

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TECHNICAL NOTES. 
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS. 
No . B. 
by 
E. Unger and E. Schmidt. 
Translated from 
Techniscbe Eerichte Vol. III - Section 6. 
by 
Starr Truscot t I 
Aeronautic Engineer. 
Construction & Repair. U,S.N. 
1920. 
o 1 r) 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19930080804 2020-03-17T05:02:26+00:00Z
DURALUMIN 
By E. Unger and E. Schmidt . 
Translated from Technische Berichte Vol. III - Section 6. 
The use of duralumin in the construction of aircraft makes 
an account of the properties of this material desirable especially 
with reference to its working qualities as developed by experience . 
Composition. SpecifiC GrQvity ~ Melting point . 
Dural'Umin is made in various compositions and bas, with the 
exception of small quantities of ~purlties, the following composition: 
Al'Umimn 95.5 to 93.2 percent 
Magnesiun .5 II 
Copper 3.5 n 5.5 " 
Manganese .5 II .8 " 
Lead, tin and zinc which, as is well known, have an unfavor-
able influence upon the pennanence of aluminum' alloys, are not found 
in duralUlllin. 
The specific gravity of duralumin varies according to com-
position and hardness from 2.75 to 2.84. The melting point is about 
6500 C. 
Duralumin is made under this name by the Durener Me tal 1war ke , 
Duren (Rhld), and under the name of Bergmetall by Carl Berg, Eveking 
(West!. ). 
Working of Duralvmin 
Like other metals, dural'Umin can be rolled in~o plates and 
shapes and behaves in a similar manner, in that the elongation de-
creases as the hardness of rolling increases. Tube blanks, however, 
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can be made only by pressing and not by the oblique rolling method. 
Fig. 1 shows the increase in tensile strength and decrease 
in elongation of a duralumin plate as its thickness is reduced by cold 
rolling from 7 mm. to 2 mm. The strength increases from 41 kg. to 
about 54 kg. per sq.mm. while the elongation falls from 22.7 to 2.3 per-
cent. The curve shows that the elongation decreases very rapidly with 
the very first reduction in thickness. 
However, duralumin can be worked hot at a temperature of 
about 4000 C. very well. 
Tempering 
I Dutalumin can be tempered, like steel, by heating and sudden 
cooling. For this purpose plates, tubes, and shapes are heated to be-
tween 4800 and 5100 and quenched, then aged; that is, the treated 
material is s~ply set aside. ~he original strength characteristics 
are very nearly restored atter the quenching but the tensile strength 
continues to grow with the time of ageing, from 35 to 50 kgs. per 
sq.mm. The elongation does not decrease but remains at least the same 
and usually incre~ses slightly. In practice the greatest strength is 
reaChed after about 5 days of ageing. 
When heated to over 5300 C. duralumin becomes unusable. Con-
sequently the treating is carried on in a bath of nitrates whose tem-
perature can be carefully regulated and watched. During the ageing of 
the metal work cannot be done on it which would change the section 
as in that case the strength will not increase any more. After the 
completion of ageing, the material can be re-rolled in order to obtain 
smooth surfaces. The strength is thereby increased at the expense of 
elongation. 
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Fig. 2 shows the increase of strength o.ur ing ageing. The ten-
sile strengths were determined by the Ericson test ·with 0.385 as a coef- . 
ficient. This value was obtained from the experiments described below: 
Exper1ments have Oeenmada (see Fig. 3) by ·the Durener-Metall-
werke to determine the most favorabl e quench.ing t empe~atu:re. The curve 
flail shows the va:iation in the strength of duralumin which had been 
aged fo·r 4 days with the variatiC?n of quenching :temperature . Curve lib" 
shows the strength immediately after the quenching. The strengths 
~~re determined in both cases by the Ericson test. 
As the material may warp in t eropering it is not good pra.c- · 
tice to temper riveted parts. Such parts should be tempered before 
they are riveted. 
Strength Properties 
Duralurnin is delivered in various ccmposi tions which have 
different properties according to the purpose for which it is intended 
to be used. It is therefore ~portant tbat the concern s,~plying 
the material should be informed regarding the nature of the working 
proposed. in Table 1 below are assembled the strength figures of 
some duralumin compositi~ns made by the Durener-Metallwerke. 
Symbol 
for 
Compo-
Sition 
- 4- -
:Condition:Method of:Elastic :Tensile :Elonga-
:Preparing: limit !strength:tion in 
; :kg/rrm2 ~ kg/rrm2 : % 
:Modulus :Sections 
:of elas-:available 
:ticity 
: kg/cUf-
681b 1/3:tempered :tempered :24 to 26:38 to 40: 
only 
20 about 
:500,000 
Tubes, 
:plates, 
: strip s~ t'l8.~S 
:& shapes, 
6alb 1/3: 1/2 hard:tempered 
.:.snd cold 
:rolled. 
30 :40 to 42:16 to 14:500,000 :Tubes 
:plates, 
: strips, bars . 
Sala 
681h 
N 
:tempered :tempered :25 to 27:38 to 40:20 to 18:600,000 
only 
hard :tempered :30 to 32: 44 to 46:11 to 10: 
& cold 
rolled 
:tempered :tempered :26 to 28:39 to 42:18 to 15:600,000 
only 
HARD :tempered :32 to 34:45 to 48:11 to 10: 
:and cold 
rolled 
:Tubes, 
:plates, 
; strips, bars 
:& shapes . 
: Tube s , 
:plates, 
:strips,bars 
!& shapes. 
:Tubes, 
:plates, 
:strlps,bars 
:& shapes. 
: Tube s 
:plates, 
I strips, bars. 
: tempered 
only 
forged 
rivets 
:are tem-
pered 
20 :32 to 34:18 to 14: Shear :Finished 
: strength: rivets. 
:up to 6 . 
:mm.diam. : 
:25 kg/rrm2 
The modulus of elasticity of the hard composition 6ala was 
found by the Techniachen Bochschule .Aachen to be 700,000 kgs. per sq.. em. 
Making allowance for the possible effect of vibration on the modulus of 
elasticity it appears better to use not more than 650,000 kgs. per s~. 
em. in computations. 
In j'lldging as to the suita.bility of a ma.terial for use in 
stressed parts not only the tensile strength but also the ductility is 
of great ~portance. This can be determined by bending strips baCk-
----- - --- .,..--- --- - ----- - -- - -------- - - --- -- -------, 
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ward and. forward through 1800 over a. definite ra.diUS - usually 5 to 10 n:m.-
the number of bends before frscture being taken as a measure. Other 
conclusions as to the ductility can be obtained from the Ericson test 
(see Fig. 4). The plate to be tested is pressed through a. ring, b, by 
a head. at until a tear shows on the upper surface of the sheet. The 
depth of the impression is then a measure of the ductility. 
In Table 2 there are compared strength values, numbers of 
bends (over 5 rom. radius and. through 1800 ) and depths of impression 
as observed on Bergmetall plates and steel piates of e~ual thicknesses. 
Table 2. 
Strengths. No. of ben4s. depths of imRressiQPs fQr Steel and Bergmetall. 
S tee 1 B erg met ~ 1 1 
Tbickness:Strengtb:E1onga-:No.Bends:Depths:Strength:Elonga-:No.Bends:Depth 
of : kg/mm2 :tion % : :of ~-: kg/mm2 :tion % : :of ~-
Plate :press-: :press-
: ~on mn: : ion rom. 
0.5 36 10.5 76 7.2 47 10·9 33 5.5 
1 34 15.3 26 95 47 , 11.0 3 4.2 
2 39 12.0 10 10.9 45 lLO., :Fractur-: 3.4 
~tHl at 900 
3 40 17.7 6 13 48 14.1 :Fractur- : 3.0 
:ed at 600 
4 48 9.7 : Fractur- : 2.A 
:ed at 450 
.Although the strength values of the steel plates are less than 
those of the duralumin plates, nevertheless one can compare the figures 
as to number of bends and depths of impression without correction, since 
it is possible to obtain steel plata with higher strength which also 
possesses great ductility . 
The number of bends (see Fig. 5) for both metals decreases 
with increased thickness. For steel, however, they lie considerably 
l 
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higher than for duralumin. The difference is least for plates under 
.5 lWl. in thickness. For thicker plates of dural'umin the number of 
bends decreases very rapidly. A plate 2 rom. thick breaks over a 900 
bend; a plate 4 rom. thick over a 450 bend. From these results dura-
lUlIlin might be referred to as "cold short" for thicknesses greater than 
1 mm. This property makes it uns~itable for highly stressed parts 
which must at the same time withstand vibrations. This is of pr~e im-
portance in connection with the bent lug plates which are ordinarily 
used in aircraft for taking wire terminals; In these lugs vibrations 
undoubtedly occur dux ing flight which \"lould reduce the strength of the 
dural'\llllin and might cause sudden fracture. 
Exactly how vibrations influence the modulus of elasticity 
has not yet been determined, although experiments along this line are 
already under way. 
A comparison of the depth of ~pression of steel and dura-
lumin shows (see Fig. 6) that for steal the depth of impression in-
creases with the thickness of the material while for duralumin it de-
creases. As a result of a peculiarity of the testing machine used the 
greatest stress occurred at a point which was from 5 mm. to 6 mm. from 
the vertex of the depression. In this locality the material began to 
flow before cracking. It is obvious that thick plates of ductile 
material may be stretched more easily on the upper surfaces and conse-
quently deeper impressions obtained than with thin plates, since for 
thick plates more material can flow before fracture occurs. A similar 
course of reasoning can be used to explain the decrease of depth of nn-
pression with increasing thickr£ss of plate in the Case of material of 
less ductility. On the upper surface of the test pieces there occur 
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high tensile stresses at the point above mentioned, which increase wi~h ' 
tbe strength of the plate. As the material flows only to a s.mall de-
gree, cracks very soon appear and extend into the interior. The pro-
cess described can be followed on the sections of a steel plate of 
about 40 kgs. per sq.mm. strength and a duralumin plate, Fig. 8. The 
flow before fracture of the steel plate is plainly recognizable while 
the duralunin plate shows hardl~ a sign of it. 
Fig. 9 is a photograph of a test sample of strong duralumin 
plate after fracture in whiCh the material suddenly split in all di-
rections. 
For flanging and pressing tempered duralumin is consequently 
suitable only in the thin gauges . 
. Influence of heat and cold. 
Heat has an important influence on the strength of duralumin. 
According to the results obtained in tests by the Central Bureau ~or 
Scientific Investigation, Neubabelsberg, when heated the strength 
decreases 10% for an increase in temperature of 1000 and about 20% for 
an increase of 1500 (see Fig. 10). The loss in strength increases 
with the increase OI temperature~ The elongation increases on first 
heating to a hardly appreciable extent. while between 1500 and 2000 
it decreases. At 2500 the elongation becomes the same as at room 
temperature. With further heating the elongation increases with in-
creaSing temperature. Consequently wherever dur.alumin is exposed to 
heat the possible decrease of strength must always be considered. 
As opposed to the foregoing the influence of cooling on the 
strength properties is less unfavorable. The Central Bureau for Sci-
entific Investigation has made tests on this also (see Table 3). 
, 
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Tabla 3 . 
Influence of Cold on the Strength of Duralumin. 
Tasting :Tbe bar was: Tensile Tests 
Temperature: tested in :L:imit of.:UU. Str~ngth;Elongation 
:stretch: kg/mm : % 
:& strain: 
'i 20'~ 42.5 21.9 
--~~-----------------------------------------o 43.0 21.B 
20 43.7 23.1 
40 44.0 22.1 
BO : C 02 snow 25.2 44.4 22. "7 
190 :Liquid Air 32.3 53.7 2B.7 
of 20 Air 23.0 42.3 23.3 
: Impact Te st 
:Work of bZeaking 
: kg/mm 
2.6 
2.6 
2.7 
2.7 . 
2.7 
2.6 
2.6 
The strength and elongation increase somewhat with the decrease in tem-
perature. The work r~pr~ :l:t;.t~ci by tow blo\'l in the· impact tests is not 
decreased when material is affected by cold so that one c~ safely as-
sume that the cold encountered in flight has no unfavorable influence 
on duralumin. 
Experiments on the influence of weathering on th~ strength 
of duraliJIDin, wpich have been carried on by the Durener-Metallwerke 
for 3 years, have shown that no observable decrease in the strength 
properties can be noticed (see Table 4). 
- 9 -
Table 4. 
Effect of Weathering on the Strength of Duralunin. 
Testing 
Data. 
Dec~ 1909 : Nov. 1910: 
:StrgtR:E1ong-:Strength:E1ong-: 
:kg/mmG:ation :kg/mm2 :ation: 
Nov. 1911 
Strength Elong-: 
kg/mm2 at ion 
Dec. 1912 
Strength=E1ong-
kg/mm2 : at ion Alloy 681a. 
% % % % 
• 
Round Bar 41.7 20 42.2 21 42 21.1 42.9 18.3 
Bar (thick): 39.1 20 38.7 19.6 39.3 18.9 40 20 
Bar (thin) . 42.0 20 39.1 18.0 39.3 18 42.3 16.5 
Wire ( thick) : 48.0 20.1 45 20.1 44.3 19.7 44.5 19.8 
Wire (thin) : 46.3 20 44 19.6 42.5 18.7 43.2 18.5 
The Durener-Metallwerke have also carried on for about a year, 
exper~ents on the influence of the electrolytic effect from junctions 
of duralumin with iron or steel. These were made by riveting duralumin 
bars to iron plates and then placing them in artificial sea water . 
There resulted only an insignificant destruction of the iron and a re-
duction in weight of the bars of about .23% so that no considerations 
exist against the use of duralumin and iron junctions in aircre.ft. 
Dural'\1ll1n has a strength of 35 to 40 kgs. per sq.mm. and an 
elongation of 10 to 15%. ThG stretching strain limit lies very high, 
about 28 to 32 kgs. per Sq. meter. The modulus of elasticity is about 
600,000 to 700,000 kgs. per sq.cm. It is very brittle especially in 
thicknesses above 1 mm. ani consequently sensitive to bending to and 
fro (altarnating). 
Bent Plate Fittings, with bent lugs which must resist vibration are 
best not made out of duralumin but of sheet steel. For stressed parts 
- 10 -
which while in flight are exposed to an increase in temperature of 
more t.han 1000 C the use of duralumin is objectionable unless a cor-
respondingly smaller strength value is used in computations. Cold 
has no harmful influence on duralunin. The joint between iron and 
steel and duralumin can be made without electrolytic action occurring. 
Pieces, which for better working must be heated, must be in all 
cases re-tempered after completion. 
By Starr Truscot.t, 
Aeronautic Engineer • 
.Bu. C. & R., U. S.N. 






Duralumin

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