Study of the Effects of Two Step Age Hardening Process on Mechanical Properties of Aluminum 6063-T5 Alloy

Abstract

Aluminum 6063 T5 is an alloy and containing magnesium (0.45-0.9%) and silicon (0.2-0.6%) as the main alloying elements. T5 denotes the heat treatment process: cooling from hot working and artificially aged. Aging process is used to harden this alloy by forming second phase particles of Mg2Si. This work is mainly focused on the enhancement of hardness of Aluminum 6063 T5 extrudates, and increasing the production rate cost effectively. Two step age hardening treatment is developed as a substitute for the existing single step age hardening treatment used in local industry, to reduce the total time period and temperatures while improving the hardness. In this research work, average hardness value of extrudates produced in local industries is taken as the reference point and that is improved up to the required level by varying the time periods and temperatures of two step age hardening treatment.