Effect of Pre-Ageing on the Artificial Ageing Response of Al-Mg-Si(-Cu) Alloys

Abstract:

The effect of different pre-ageing treatments on the subsequent artificial ageing response of Al-Mg-Si(-Cu) alloys have been investigated using hardness, tensile and electrical conductivity testing. The microstructural evolution was characterised by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 3-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) analysis. Pre-ageing treatments were carried out at 160-250°C for short times. Results show that the early stage artificial ageing response after 30 minutes at 170°C is strongly influenced by the pre-ageing and natural ageing conditions. A pre-ageing treatment performed for a short time at a high temperature and within a short delay after solution treatment and quenching was found to give a promising hardening response during subsequent artificial ageing. The mechanisms by which pre-ageing can reduce the detrimental effect of natural ageing on the artificial ageing response will be discussed in relation to the formation and distribution of clusters, GP zones and/or precipitates.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 654-656)
• Pages: 918-921
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.654-656.918
• Online since: June 2010
• Authors: Ling Fei Cao, Paul A. Rometsch, Hao Zhong, Barry C. Muddle
• Keywords: Al-Mg-Si-Cu, Artificial Ageing Response, Cluster, Pre-Aging, Precipitation

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