Properties of the subsurface layer after rolling burnishing of an initially milled aluminium alloy

This paper characterizes mechanical properties of the technological subsurface layer produced by medium milling of EM AW-AlCu4MgSi(A) aluminium alloy in hardened state T451 using a ball-end cutter and subsequent roller burnishing using a nitride ceramic ball. It was revealed that ball burnishing operations performed on curvilinear milled surfaces allow obtaining the subsurface layer with a minimum strain-hardening effect and induced compressive residual stresses without visible microstructural changes. As a result, such functional properties of the subsurface layer as fatigue strength, bearing properties and contact strength along with a very smooth machined surface of the Sa roughness of about 0.02 µm can be ensured.