Characterization of second-phase particles in two aluminium foil alloys

In commercial 8xxx series aluminium foil alloys several key materials properties, including formability, softening behaviour, strength and ductility, are influenced by alloying elements either in solid solution or in precipitated form, i.e. by the materials microchemistry. In the present paper, the development in microchemistry upon different homogenization treatments is tracked with a variety of experimental characterization methods in two 8xxx alloys which are differentiated by their Si-contents. Special attention is paid to the impact of homogenization on changes in the morphology of constituent particles as well as the formation of dispersoids from the supersaturated matrix. Furthermore, the changes in solute level and precipitation during homogenization annealing are simulated with a statistical microchemistry simulation tool termed ClaNG.