Abstract
The heat treatment response and the microstructure of a 6082 aluminum alloy produced by thixoforming were investigated. The initial microstructure was characterised by globular dendrites separated by a low volume fraction of (i.e. of eutectic). The heat-treatment response was investigated by testing the alloy in the form of thixoformed bars. The analysis of the hardness variation with ageing time and the electrical conductivity measurements suggested that the hardening of the alloy reflected the presence of coherent zones or semi-coherent precipitates at low temperature (160 °C) and the precipitation of equilibrium phases at high temperature (210 °C). These preliminary studies were partially repeated on samples obtained by sectioning a large component of more complex shape. The small fraction of liquid available at the thixoforming temperature was found to result in the formation of voids and hot-cracks in some locations of the component. The heat-treatment response was quite similar to that observed by testing thixoformed bars, even if the microstructure, and consequently the initial value of the hardness, was substantially less homogeneous in the component.
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