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Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Primary and Secondary AA6063

Aluminum Alloy after Extrusion and T5 Heat Treatment

Article  in  Materials Today: Proceedings · December 2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2015.10.044

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Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897

Aluminium Two Thousand World Congress and International Conference on Extrusion and
Benchmark ICEB 2015

Mechanical properties and microstructure of primary and secondary

AA6063 aluminum alloy after extrusion and T5 heat treatment
L. Aydia, M. Khlifa, C. Bradaia, S. Spigarellib, M. Cabibbob, M. El Mehtedib,*
a
National school of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, BPW, 3036 Sfax, Tunisia
b
DIISM-Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy

Abstract

The mechanical properties of primary and secondary AA6063 aluminum alloy were investigated in tension on samples with
different orientation (extrusion direction, ED and transverse direction, TD), after quenching in forced air and after artificial aging
(T5) at 185°C for 6h. The microstructure of the samples was analyzed using both light optical microscopy and scanning electron
microscopy on the surface of the extrudate. The strength values after artificial aging are higher than the strength after quenching
in forced air due to the precipitation hardening. The tensile properties show a slight anisotropy between ED and TD. The optical
microscopy investigation carried out on the extruded billet after forced air quenching shows a fully recrystallized equiaxed
grains. Artificial aging improves the strength and hardness due to the precipitation of Mg2Si observed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM).

© 2015
2014Elsevier
ElsevierLtd.
Ltd.AllAll rights
rights reserved.
reserved.
Selection and
Selection andPeer-review
Peer-review under responsibility
under of Conference
responsibility Committee
of Conference of Aluminium
Committee Two Thousand
of Aluminium World Congress
Two Thousand and International
World Congress and
Conference onConference
International Extrusion and onBenchmark
Extrusion ICEB 2015
and Benchmark ICEB 2015.

Keywords: Aluminium alloy, Hot extrusion, Aging, SEM, Tensile test, Microstructure;

*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +39-0712204731; fax: +39-0712204770.
E-mail address: elmehtedi@univpm.it

2214-7853 © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of Conference Committee of Aluminium Two Thousand World Congress and International Conference on
Extrusion and Benchmark ICEB 2015
doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2015.10.044
 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897 4891

1. Introduction

Al-Mg-Si alloys are mainly used for the manufacture of extruded components. This group of aluminum alloys has
attractive properties. They present a very good combination of strength, good formability, high corrosion resistance,
good weldability and good machinability. They are widely used in various industry sectors such as construction,
transport, marine, heating, etc. [1-6].
The aluminum alloy AA6063, in particular, is widely used for the manufacture of shaped aluminum profiles by
extrusion. The billets are first homogenized, preheated, hot extruded, quenched immediately after extrusion and later
the profiles are aged in order to produce a fine precipitation of Mg 2Si particles. The simplicity of the manufacturing
process makes the alloy AA6063 one of the most widely used in the building industry, but this material captures the
interest also for structural applications due to its attractive properties [7-10]. Both the extrusion process and the heat
treatment have significant effects on the microstructure and the final mechanical properties of the AA6063, slight
variations of the chemical composition and treatment affecting the performance of the billet and the extrudate [11].
The mechanical properties of these alloys mainly depend upon the size of precipitates Mg 2Si formed during
artificial aging [12]. The artificial aging temperature range is 160-180°C [13-18]. During heat treatment of the alloy
AA6063, the mechanical properties change due to the variation in the morphology of the strengthening phases e.g.
shape, size, and distribution of Mg2Si particles and (AlFeSi) intermetallics. Thus the mechanical properties of
aluminum sheets and extruded profiles are highly correlated with the final microstructure and crystallographic
texture, that depends on the thermo-mechanical process history of the product [19]. The formability of Al-Mg-Si
alloys is thus considerably influenced by aging parameters [20] and composition variations [21]. In the quenched
state the alloying elements are in solid solution or in the form of small clusters distributed throughout the matrix.
The aim of this work is to study the effect of heat treatment T5 on the mechanical properties and microstructure,
thus to identify the difference between the two types of aluminum alloy AA6063 primary and secondary at their
mechanical and microstructure properties.

2. Methodology and Experimental procedures

Aluminum alloy AA6063 primary alloy was prepared in Dubai in the form of billets, while aluminum alloy
AA6063 secondary billets were produced in Tunisia. The AA6063 profiles were extruded by Tunisia Aluminum
Profile Company.
The chemical compositions of the studied alloys were determined by spectral analysis; Table 1 provides the
chemical compositions of both the AA6063 primary and AA6063 secondary (wt.%).

Table 1. Chemical compositions of both the AA6063 primary and secondary.

Element Si Mg Fe Mn Cu Ti Al
wt.% primary 0.440 0.480 0.170 0.030 <0.01 0.01 Balance
wt.% secondary 0.441 0.443 0.198 0.037 0.009 0.032 Balance

The cast billet of Ø170 mm was homogenized at 580 °C for 5 h and preheated at 460°C, then extruded at 480°C
in form of plates with dimensions of 80x2.5 mm.
The extrusion die was also heated to extrusion temperature. A constant ram velocity of 10 mm/s was used for all
extrusion operations. After extrusion, all the profiles were air cooled to create a super-saturated solid solution, and
then aged at 185°C for 6h.
Two consecutive billets of aluminum alloy AA6063, one primary and one secondary, were extruded. Micro-
hardness and tensile tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of the AA6063 after quenching and
after artificial aging. Vickers micro-hardness (HV200) was measured on the plane parallel to extrusion direction and
along three different profiles (periphery, intermediate and center) on the sample transverse. Three tensile specimens
2.5mm in thickness and 31mm in gauge length were prepared according to ASTM E8/E8M-13a for each condition
(extruded alloys after air quenching and after artificial aging, on two different orientations, extrusion direction, ED,
4892 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897

and transverse direction, TD). Tensile tests were performed at room temperature with a crosshead speed 3mm/min
using an extensometer with a fixed original-gauge length of 10mm.
The microstructure evolution of the samples was studied by using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) with X-ray energy dispersive system (EDS).

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Effect of heat treatment T5 temper on microstructure

The microstructure of alloys before and after extrusion and quenching is shown in Fig.1. After homogenization
and before extrusion, both primary and secondary alloys present a grain structure with second-phase particles. The
secondary alloy shows a coarser microstructure than the primary one, Fig.1b and Fig.1a respectively. A fully
recrystallized microstructure with equiaxed grains has maturely developed after extrusion. It can be deduced that
static recrystallization and grain growth phenomena occur rapidly after hot extrusion.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Fig. 1. The microstructure of AA6063 as homogenized before extrusion (a) primary, (b) secondary and after extrusion and quenching (c) primary,
(d) secondary.

The microstructure of the specimens obtained after forced air quenching, and heating again to 185°C for 6h, is
shown in Fig.2. Equiaxed grains were found on the whole specimens confirming the complete recrystallization of
the material observed after quenching. Black small particles were observed in the interior representing Mg2Si
precipitates and gray bright phase mainly at grain boundaries represents the intermetallics (AlFeSi).
 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897 4893

(a) (b)

Fig. 2. The microstructure of AA6063 after artificial aging at 185°C (a) primary, (b) secondary.

After aging of the primary and secondary AA6063, SEM was used to identify the (AlFeSi) intermetallics and
Mg2Si in the microstructure. The SEM micrographs of the AA6063 primary in the aged condition are shown in
Fig.3; for AA6063 primary the EDX analysis was performed on two regions, marked as A-B. Region B (with
presence of Fe) was identified as (AlFeSi) intermetallic and region A as Mg2Si precipitate.
cps/eV
60

Element C norm. C Atom.

50 [wt.%] [at.%]
------------------------------------------
Iron 5.10 2.53
40
Silicon 2.72 2.68
Aluminium 91.34 93.82
30
Fe Mg Al Si Magnesium 0.85 0.97 Fe

------------------------------------------
Total: 100.00 100.00
20

B 10

AlFeSi
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
keV

A 80
cps/eV

Mg2Si 70
Element C norm. C Atom.
[wt.%] [at.%]
60 ------------------------------------------
Iron 0.00 0.00
50 Silicon 0.46 0.44
Aluminium 98.66 98.58
Fe Mg Al Si Fe
40 Magnesium 0.88 0.98
------------------------------------------
30 Total: 100.00 100.00

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
keV

Fig. 3. SEM results of AA6063 primary after aging, EDS measurement are marked.

The SEM micrographs of the secondary AA6063 are shown in Fig.4; the EDS analysis was performed on two
regions marked as A'-B'. Region A' presents (AlFeSi) intermetallics as well as region B'. It was not easy to detect the
Mg2Si precipitates in the secondary alloy; since only few precipitates were detected, probably the precipitates in the
secondary are lower in number or smaller in size compared to the primary material.
4894 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897

Element C norm. C Atom.

cps/eV
[wt.%] [at.%]
-----------------------------------
12
Iron 13.27 6.89
Silicon 4.03 4.16
10 Aluminium 81.51 87.54
Magnesium 1.19 1.42
----------------------------------
8
Total: 100.00 100.00
Fe Mg Al Si
6

A’ 4

B’ 2

(AlFeSi) 0
0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20
keV
1.40 1.60 1.80

cps/eV

50
Element C norm. C Atom.
[wt.%] [at.%]
40
-------------------------------------
Iron 23.44 12.90
Silicon 5.76 6.31
30 Aluminium 70.05 79.84
Fe Mg Al Si Fe
Magnesium 0.75 0.95
-------------------------------------
20 Total: 100.00 100.00

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
keV

Fig. 4. SEM results of AA6063 secondary after aging, EDS measurement are marked.

The SEM and EDX analysis of the metallographic samples after artificial aging were performed in order to
characterize the Mg2Si precipitates and (AlFeSi) intermetallics for both alloys in different conditions and regions.
According to the EDX analysis, Fe is slightly higher in secondary alloy than in primary alloy. The presence of Fe
enhances the formation of (AlFeSi) intermetallics at the grain boundaries which has the effect of reducing ductility,
while the presence of low Si content results in the formation of a smaller amount of precipitates which has a positive
effect on the ductility [22-25].
The metallographic of the secondary alloy aged sample, obtained by FEG-SEM set in the backscatter electron
mode (BSE), is shown in Fig. 5. The Mg2Si could be distinguished because it is shown darker than intermetallics.

Fig. 5. FEG-SEM Metallographic in (BSE) mode of the secondary aged sample.

 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897 4895

3.2. Effect of heat treatment T5 temper on mechanical properties

3.2.1. Tensile tests

The tensile properties of the extruded alloy AA6063-T5 primary and secondary for two different orientations
(ED) and (TD) are summarized in Table 2. The stress-strain curves of primary and secondary AA6063 for ED and
TD orientation are shown in Fig.6.

Table 2. The tensile properties of AA6063 primary and secondary for different directions ED and TD.
σ0.2 (MPa) σ max (MPa) Elong.(%)
AA6063 PAQ(ED) 88r1 164r1 23
AA6063 PAQ(TD) 89r1 163r1 24
AA6063 PAA(ED) 191r5 219r4 13
AA6063 PAA(TD) 192r1 217r1 12
AA6063 SAQ(ED) 86r1 163r1 24
AA6063 SAQ(TD) 86r2 161r3 25
AA6063 SAA(ED) 178r6 206r6 11
AA6063 SAA(TD) 185r1 204r2 7
* PAQ: primary after quenching * PAA: primary after aging
* SAQ: secondary after quenching * SAA: secondary after aging

Figure 7 aims at evaluating the difference between the two types of AA6063-T5 (primary and secondary) and the
influence of T5 artificial aging. The strength of the AA6063 primary increases after artificial aging to 219MPa and
217MPa for ED and TD respectively, in comparison to as quenched condition (164MPa and 163MPa).
180 250
(0°) 0°
(90°) 90°
150 200
Stress (MPa)

120
Stress (MPa)

150
90
100
60

50
30

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(a) Strain(%) (b) Strain(%)
250
180 (0°) (0°)
(90°) (90°)
200
150
Stress (MPa)

Stress (MPa)

120 150

90
100
60
50
30

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
(c) Strain(%) (d) Strain(%)

Fig. 6. Representative stress-strain curves showing the variation of anisotropy for AA6063 primary (a) and secondary (c) after quenching forced
air and (b), (d) after artificial aging.
4896 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897

250
240

200 200

160 150
Stress (MPa)

Stress (MPa)
120
100 AA6063 Primary (0)
80 AA6063 Primary (0) AA6063 Primary (90)
AA6063 Primary (90) AA6063 Secondary (0)
50
40 AA603 Secondary (0) AA6063 Secondary (90)
AA6063 Secondary (90)
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Strain(%) Strain(%)
(a) (b)

Fig. 7. Performance between AA6063-T5 primary and secondary (a) after quenching forced air (b) after artificial aging.

3.2.2. Measurement of micro hardness

The Vickers micro hardness test results are plotted in Fig. 8. The results show that the values of micro-hardness
after aging are higher than the values after quenching in both alloys. The primary alloy exhibits the higher hardness.
It was also noticed that the yield strength showed a direct relationship with the hardness, which is in accordance
with the literature [26].
The hardening phase which enables the increase in hardness after aging heat treatment is Mg2Si, high hardness
values being mainly obtained with small α-Al grain size and high densities of β-Mg2Si [27,28]. Thus, as expected,
the artificial aging has a marked effect on micro-hardness of the extruded AA6063 alloy. The hardness in the three
locations from periphery to center of extruded alloy is similar, suggesting that the material is homogeneous.

80 80
AA6063 Primary AA6063 Secondary
AA6063 Primary AA6063 Secondary
Hardness HV(0,2)

60
Hardness HV(0,2)

60

40 40

20 20

0 0
Periphery Intermediate Center Periphery Intermediate Center
(a) (b)

Fig.8. Measurement of hardness of AA6063 primary and secondary (a) after quenching forced air (b) after artificial aging T5.

4. Conclusions

The influence of T5 heat treatment on the mechanical properties and microstructure of primary and secondary
AA6063 was investigated.
The results can be summarized as follows:
x After artificial aging, the hardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increase relative to the as
quenched condition.
 L. Aydi et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 2 (2015) 4890 – 4897 4897

x A slight difference between ED and TD for both types of AA6063-T5 alloy was observed, indicating a negligible
effect of anisotropy.
x The strengthening mechanisms of AA6063 after artificial aging was precipitation of Mg2Si whose volume
fraction was higher in the primary alloy, while the content of intermetallics (AlFeSi) was higher in the secondary
one due to the higher Fe content.
x The ductility of the final profile is higher in the primary alloy than in the secondary after artificial aging, whereas
it is comparable after extrusion and quenching.

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