Effect of melt quality and quenching temperature on the mechanical properties of SIMA 2024 and 7075

Abstract

Spherical grains can be obtained by several semisolid processes in aluminium alloys. One of these methods is called Strain Induced Melt Activated (SIMA). In this work, commercially available 2024 and 7075 alloys were subjected SIMA process. First, optimised process parameters were investigated for the homogeneous spherical grain structure. This was followed by solution heat treatment of the parts. For the quenching medium, room temperature and 80°C boiling water was selected. The effect of different quenching temperatures over the mechanical properties was tested. Hardness, tensile and fatigue tests were applied. In addition, reduced pressure test was used to assess alloy quality and the results were compared with the mechanical tests. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications.