Effect of heat treatment conditions on microstructure and wear behaviour of Al4Cu2Ni2Mg alloy

Al4Cu2Ni2Mg alloy is an age-hardenable aluminum alloy. The effect of different solution and aging heat treatment conditions on the microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of the alloy was studied. The cast specimens were solution treated and then artificially aged. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the microstructures of the specimens. The hardness and wear tests were applied to understanding the effects of heat treatment. After aging for 8 h, the hardness of the alloy increases from HV10 96.5 to 151.1. Aging treatment for a longer duration causes a drop in the hardness because of over aging. Increasing the hardness of the alloy increases the wear resistance. As a result of all tests, solution heat treatment at 540 °C for 8 h and aging at 190 °C for 8 h were chosen for optimum heat treatment conditions for this alloy.