EFFECTS OF THERMOMECHANICAL TREATMENTS ON THE CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al-Cu Alloy

In this work, the quest is to study the influence of thermo mechanical ageing on Aluminium alloy in which Aluminium is the principal element (parent metal) with traces of other elements such as Copper, Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc. Aluminium is subject to internal stresses and strains when it is overheated.The development of Al-9.37Cu alloy was characterized through metallographic examinations. The alloy having been cast using Die –Casting method was subjected to series of treatment such as solution treatment, water quenching and air-quenching as well as over –ageing. The result showed that the strength of Al9.37Cu was greatly enhanced when the alloy was rolled, and aged. This was as a result of the growth of large precipitates along and near the Aluminum grain boundaries which interfere with the movement of dislocations when the metal yields. However, when the alloy was heated beyond 200oC (500oC), the tensile values were observed to decline as a result of equilibrium tetragonal phase which is fully in –coherent and was characterized with low strengthening effect due to fibrous structures.Self-sponsore