FF
What is Age Hardening ?
> Age Hardening or Precipitation hardening is a heat
treatment technique used to increase the yield strength
(¥S) of structural alloys of as Al, Mg, Ni, Ti and stainless
steels ete,
Age Hardening (Precipitation Hardening) > Age Hardening relies on changes of solid solubtity with the
temperature to produce fine particles of an impurity phase,
which impede the movement of dislocation.
> It is quite similar to formation of ice in air which can
produce clouds, snow or hail depends on the thermal
history of given atmosphere.
> Precipitates in solid can produce different sizes of particles,
which have radically different properties.
Importance of Solvus Line
‘oary Eatectie Systems
systems aller ite sey
mr edd esenno cpp pe oon wig neSteps in Precipitation Hardening
4 Eee
a a
Precipitation Hardening
+ aging can also occur at room temperature for some alloys
iness or tensile strength vs aging time
+ Yield Strength increases as zones or precipitates form
“+ Strength reaches a peak value and then decreases
(overageing)
tt as agarRequisite Features on Phase
‘ Mechanism of Hardening
Diagrams for Precipitation Hardening:
1 An appreciable maximum solul
component
percent.
ity of one
the other, of the order of several
O The alloy system must display decreasing solid
solubility with decreasing temperature.
1 The matrix should be relatively soft and ductile,
and the precipitate should be hard and brittle. “
O The alloy must be quenchable.
Superstunted esos
obtion
0 Acoherent precipitate must form.
te area Ea
Mechanism of Hardening
jon of Age Hardened Components
Aluminum-2014
‘rlasonahip txtweanthe prcptates andthe mat sent scare
eeApplication of Age Hardened Components Application of Age Hardened Components
Aluminum-2024
Nickel
=
: a ea
Methods of Studying Age Hardened Alloy” What is the relation between the Age Hardening
and below images?
> Direct Method:
X-ray Diffraction (XRD); < Fast.
Change of Lattice parameter, Lattice Strain
lectron Microscopy: SEM/TEM
> EDS, Diffraction pattern
> Indirect Method:
(1), Mechanical Properties Study
id other Tensile properties ete,