Selecting non-isothermal heat treatment schedules for precipitation hardening systems: An example of coupled process–property optimization

A physically based process model for the room temperature yield strength of an age-hardenable alloy subject to selected monotonic non-isothermal heat treatment schedules is developed and used to examine the possible efficiencies in processing and enhancements in strength that may be realistically achieved. ‘Processing Maps’ are generated which illustrate both the yield strengths achievable and the processing routes necessary to achieve them, as well as estimates of the energy consumed in the thermal treatment. A Fe–2Cu (wt.%) alloy is used as an example and the results of physical experiments are compared with the model predictions. For the conditions examined, enhancements in yield strength of ∼8% above those achievable in comparable isothermal treatments are illustrated with 65% of the energy input. Alternatively, similar yield strengths to those from comparable isothermal treatment are shown to be achievable with ∼35% of the energy input. The physical origins of the observed effects and the potential implications of coupled process–property optimization are considered.