Abstract
The strengthening behaviour of Al-0·5Mg-0·35 Si-0·25 Cu alloy by thermomechanical processing has been studied by statistically designed experiments. The effects of process variables, i.e. pre-aging time and temperature, percentage of cold work, and time and temperature of the final aging, on the development of strength properties have been expressed in the form of regression equations. Analysis of the equations is used to show the response of this alloy towards thermomechanical processing. An attempt has been made to explore the region of maximum strength of the alloy by the method of steepest ascent. The use of transmission electron micrographs of thermomechanically processed samples reveals the presence of a dense dislocation structure with only limited regions in optimum contrast.
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