The Effect of Enhanced Solution Treatment on Microstructures and Properties of 6013 Type Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

The effect of enhanced solution treatment on microstructures, tensile properties, intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion of a 6013 type aluminum alloy proceeded via various solution treatment were investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tension testing and corrosion resistance testing. The results show that compared with the conventional solution treatment (560°C×2 h), the enhanced solution treatment (560°C×2 h+570°C×2 h) can improve ultimate tensile strength and elongation, the corrosion resistance become worse after 151°C×8 h+191°C×8 h artificial aging. The tensile strength increase is believed to resulting from the coarse second phases dissolve. The corrosion resistance decrease is due to grain growth.