A Process Model for Age Hardening of Crossover Alloy AA5180

Author(s):

Taylor W. Cain

Abstract:

A process model describing the change in hardness with time as a function of isothermal aging temperature was performed on the crossover 5XXX series aluminum alloy 5180 for the first time. The process model suggested the presence of two dominant strengthening precipitates, with a transition temperature near 131 °C defining a low- and high-temperature precipitate. The process model showed good agreement with the experimental data, and the final derived parameters remained physically justified. The aging kinetics at temperatures below 100 °C were predicted to be very slow, exemplifying the superior resistance to microstructural change compared with conventional 5XXX series alloys.