Effect of pre-aging and maturing on the precipitation hardening of an Al–Mg–Si alloy

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2010-02, Vol.490 (1), p.166-169
• Main Authors: Abid, T., Boubertakh, A., Hamamda, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation energy; Al–Mg–Si alloy; Cold working, work hardening; annealing, quenching, tempering, recovery, and recrystallization; textures; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; DSC; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties of solids; Physics; Precipitation hardening; Reaction kinetic; Solid solution, precipitation, and dispersion hardening; aging; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; Tribology and hardness
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.10.096

The effect of pre-aging and maturing at room temperature on hardening response of an Al–Mg–Si alloy is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hardness measurements (Hv) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two experimental conditions are examined. First, natural aging for different times (3 weeks and 1 month) followed by artificial aging at 180 °C as function time. Second, pre-aging at temperatures in the range 75–100 °C followed by artificial aging at 180 °C after natural aging for the same periods. The present results indicate that the effect of the pre-aging just after the heating and quenching is used in order to correct the undesirable effect of aging at room temperature. However, during the artificial aging, the alloy hardening becomes faster. Aged samples which have already undergone pre-aging and maturing reveal the better hardening response.