TITLE:
Influence of Non-Natural Ageing Temperature on the Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum 6063 Alloy
AUTHORS:
Oluwole Oladele, Ayodele Adedeke, Olajesu Olanrewaju, Samuel Olusunle
KEYWORDS:
Aluminum Alloy, Non-Natural Ageing, Mechanical Properties, Microstructural Features
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.12 No.2,
March
13,
2024
ABSTRACT: This research considered the effect of non-natural aging on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of as-cast aluminum 6063 alloys. The samples were developed through a sand casting process and machined into tensile and impact test samples before carrying out solution heat treatment at 550?C (0.83 Tm) on two parts of the samples while retaining one part as the control. The two parts were further divided into sets denoted A and B and were aged at 180?C (0.27 Tm) and 160?C (0.24 Tm), respectively, for 12 hours. The results showed that sample A has the optimal yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 192 and 206 MPa, respectively. Likewise, the sample gave the highest impact strength value of about 9.63 J/mm2. The observed results were supported by the optical micrograph, which revealed that the sample has evenly dispersed precipitates in its microstructure. This is deemed responsible for the observed increase in strength of the sample.