doi:10.3850/978-981-08-9247-0_rp012-icsas11

ABSTRACT

Many aluminum-based alloys are strengthened by a heat treatment process known as age hardening or precipitation hardening. The precipitation hardening process usually includes thermal treatment, which consists of solution treatment, quenching, and artificial ageing. The use of aluminum alloys in Mechanical and Civil Engineering structures requires a useful prior knowledge of the heat treatment process and the limiting temperatures to which aluminum structure can be used. The present article gives an overview of the changes which take place in aluminum alloys during heat treatment and the resulting stability of the microstructures produced. It is obvious that these metastable microstructures have a useful lifespan which can be seriously shortened if the working environment is severe. In this study, the heat treatment experiments are made and hardness values measured according to the designed heat treatment plan for the Aluminum Magnesium Silicon Alloy (AA6061). The effect of solid solution treatment temperature, ageing temperature and ageing time on the hardness values and properties is studied. The ideal heat treatment cycle of the AA6061 alloy is proposed. The optimum ageing time and temperature is also determined.

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