The effect of solution temperature on the precipitates evolution and aging hardening response of Al-15%Mg2Si(-1%Cu) alloys

Abstract

The effect of solution temperature on the aging hardening behavior of Al-15%Mg2Si(-1%Cu) alloys was studied by characterizing the precipitation behaviors of nano-precipitates. After the solution temperature rises from 520 °C to 550 °C, more solute atoms are available for precipitation, and the formation activation energies of precipitates (β'' and S) decrease. So the formation of β''/β′ in Al-15%Mg2Si alloy and S in Al-15%Mg2Si-1%Cu alloy is accelerated at a solution temperature of 550 °C, which enhances the hardness and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the two alloys.

Keywords

• Al-Mg2Si alloy
• Solution temperature
• Cu addition
• Precipitation