Effects of Heat Treatment on Strength and Ductility of Rolled and Forged Aluminum 6063 Alloy

This work examines the effect of heat treatment on tensile strength and ductile responses of rolled and forged AA6063 aluminum alloy. Some cast samples were rolled while some were forged at ambient temperature (32C). The deformed samples were subjected to heat treatment processes. The tensile strengths of rolled (212 MPa) and forged (127 MPa) samples are enhanced at ambient temperature but with poor elongation responses. A combination of improved strength and elongation (127 MPa, 24%) can be obtained in rolled sample when solution heat treatment (SHT) is applied after deformation and cooling in water. The forged sample when homogenized, solution treated and water quenched has elongation of about 24% with improved strength of 137 MPa. These results were obtained because of the development of very fine AlFeSi texture in the matrix and along the grain boundaries.