Influence of deformation ageing treatment on microstructure and properties of aluminum alloy 2618

The effects of deformation ageing treatment (DAT) on the microstructure and properties of aluminum alloy 2618 were investigated. The alloy was subjected to deformation ageing treatment which included solution treating at 535 °C quenching into water at room-temperature, cold rolling (10%) and further ageing to peak hardness level at 200 °C. The electron microscopic studies revealed that the treatment affects the ageing characteristics and the coarsening of ageing phase (S′) at elevated-temperature. The dislocation-precipitate tangles substructure couldnʹt be found in alloy 2618. The tensile and hardness tests showed that deformation-ageing treatment causes a significant improvement in tensile strength and hardness to alloy 2618 at room- and elevated-temperature.