Development of mechanical properties during secondary aging in aluminium alloys

Earlier work has shown that, if the artificial aging of aluminium alloys is interrupted by a dwell period at lower temperature, higher values of tensile properties and fracture toughness may be achieved than are possible with single stage T6 tempers. A second interrupted aging cycle has now been developed that involves underaging at the elevated temperature, quenching, and then allowing secondary precipitation to occur at, or just above, room temperature. Designated a T6I4 (I=interrupted) temper by the authors, this simpler aging cycle may reduce heat treatment costs. Tests on some 30 cast and wrought alloys have resulted in tensile properties close to those for a T6 temper, with higher values of fracture toughness being recorded for some cases. Such an aging treatment can be incorporated into a paint bake cycle to simplify the heat treatment of coated automotive components.