Influence of sequence of cold working and aging treatment on mechanical behaviour of 6061 aluminum alloy

The influence of combination of different designated precipitation hardening and cold working on the tensile properties of 6061 aluminum alloy was investigated. The results indicate that applying single aging at 180°C for 4 h in different thermal-mechanical treatments improves both the strength and elongation. However, double aging does not improve the mechanical properties. In addition, pre-aging shows a negative effect on the subsequent precipitation hardening of material. The changes in mechanical properties were discussed by explanation of microstructural evolution due to the competition of precipitation hardening, strain hardening and work softening processes.