The Influence of Uphill Quench on the Microstructure and Properties of Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

Abstract:

Various heat treatments were applied to reduce quench-induced residual stresses while improving the mechanical properties of particle-reinforced aluminum composite. The residual stress distribution of samples quenched in water with different cooling media was measured. The results showed that quenching with the 30% polyethylene glycol quenchant (PAG) yields up to an 86.8% reduction in residual stress magnitude compared with cold-water quenching (CWQ). Still, the tensile properties of samples quenched in 30% polyethylene glycol quenchant were low, with a 12.5% reduction in yield strength. The experimental results show that the uphill quench (UQ) method is an effective means of reducing residual stresses induced by quenching. At the same time, the effect on tensile properties is negligible. Moreover, the study found that combining uphill quenching with short-aging treatment can further improve the residual stress, strength, and fracture toughness of SiCp/Al-Cu-Mg composites.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 388)
• Pages: 187-197
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-6D4Y1c
• Online since: April 2026
• Authors: Ran Pan*, Bao Sheng Liu, Nan Guo, Yuan Song Zeng, Yun He Chang, Zhi Yong Li
• Keywords: Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Composite, Residual Stress, Uphill Quench

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