Quantitative analysis of precipitate evolution in Al–Mg–Si alloys by in situ electrical resistivity measurements

Understanding precipitation in aluminium alloys is critical for controlling mechanical properties. We develop a resistivity-based method for monitoring precipitation during artificial ageing of an Al–Mg–Si alloy (EN AW-6082) to determine individual phase fraction maxima and the peak-aged state. The measurement method is extended with an inverse method for calculating the absolute phase fractions of clusters, GP-zones, β ″ , β ′ , and the matrix composition throughout ageing. These calculation results are in close agreement with a Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov-based kinetic phase model. This approach provides a novel route for in situ monitoring of precipitation kinetics and potential industrial process control.