Detection of Quench Induced Precipitation in Al Alloys by Dilatometry

Abstract

Quenching is a critical step during the strengthening age hardening of Aluminium alloys. To obtain optimal technological results, parts should be quenched with the upper critical cooling rate. The precipitation behaviour of Al alloys during cooling from solution annealing and thereby the critical cooling rates are typically investigated by in-situ measurements with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Conventional DSCs are limited at cooling rates below 10 Ks-1. Unfortunately, medium to high strength Al alloys typically have critical cooling rates between 10 and some 100 Ks-1. Recently it was shown that dilatometry is generally able for in-situ detection of precipitation in Al alloys. Dilatometry allows controlled cooling up to some 100 Ks-1 and therefore covers the cooling rate range relevant. In this work, we aim to show up and discuss possibilities and limitations of dilatometric detection of quench induced precipitates in 2xxx, and 7xxx Al alloys. The basic method will be presented and results will be compared with DSC work.