Strengthening study on 6082 Al alloy after combination of aging treatment and ECAP process

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was used before and after various aging treatments in order to strengthen a commercial 6082 Al alloy. Experiments were carried out to study the strengthening of the alloy due to pre and post-ECAP aging treatment. It was found that aging before and after ECAP processing is an effective method for strengthening of the alloy. An increase in both strength and ductility of the ECAPed specimen was achieved via appropriate post-aging treatment. This was in such a manner that for maximal strengthening, post-ECAP aging is best conducted at temperatures lower than those usually used for aging if prior work hardening is not undertaken. Pre-ECAP aging was also discussed in the light of dislocation density and work hardening.