TITLE:
On the Pre-Forging Heating Methods for AA2014 Alloy
AUTHORS:
Richard Turner, William Turner, Hao Wu
KEYWORDS:
Precipitate, Hardness, Microstructure, Heat Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Vol.11 No.4,
November
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: The aluminium alloy AA2014 is one of the most widely
used of the 2xxx series alloys, owing to its superior strength-to-weight ratio
and stiffness. It is commonly forged to shape for use in aerospace parts. Three different small pilot-scale AA2014 billets were subjected to different
heating operations, to physically simulate a pre-forge heating operation. The
unheated sample and heated samples were then analysed for micro structural evolution and mechanical properties, to understand how the
pre-forge heat treatments may vary the starting condition of the alloy before
being forged. It was shown that an induction heating process has the greatest
impact upon the precipitation distribution. Whilst this variation is commonly
considered a negative impact, the opportunity to control the induction heating
to promote preferential microstructure at specific locations within the billet
may be possible.