Abstract:The effect of pre-deformation followed by or together with artificial aging on the mechanical properties as strength and ductility of an AA6060 aluminium alloy was studied. AA6060 was initially cast, homogenized and extruded according to standard industrial practice. The extruded material was then subjected to a solution heat treatment and subsequently artificial aging after (sequential mode) and during (simultaneous mode) various combinations of deformation (0-10%) and heat treatments. The aging behaviour and mechanical properties were characterized in terms of Vickers hardness and tensile testing. It is found that precipitation kinetics and associated mechanical response, in terms of hardness and tensile properties are strongly affected by pre-deformations. In terms of aging behaviour, kinetics is accelerated and the peak strength generally increases. Comparing sequential mode and simultaneous mode, the latter seems to give overall better mechanical properties and after considerably shorter aging times. The results of the two modes of pre-deformation are compared and discussed in view of differences in processing conditions and microstructure characteristics.

Key words: Al-Mg-Si alloys; artificial aging; pre-deformation; tensile properties