Effect of Natural and Artificial Aging on the Mechanical Properties of Two Al-Mg-Si Alloys

Abstract

AlMgSi alloys (6XXX series) provide a good strength due to the precipitation of β” and β (Mg2Si) phases. They have also very good formability which is required for different forming process after appropriate heat treatments.This work was carried out to investigate the effect of the addition of copper and the excess of Si on the response of natural and artificial aging of two Al-Mg-Si alloys. The aging parameters on precipitation sequence of two Al-Mg-Si alloys with and without excess Si were studied by DSC, MET and Vickers hardness measurement. The combined effect of Cu, Fe and excess of Si was found to accelerate the precipitation of the hardening phases. The additions of copper to the AlMgSi refine the average of the grain size and have a greater hardening effect compared to the excess silicon addition.