Application of Thermomechanical Treatment to Increase the Strength of Pressed Rods from Aluminum Alloy D16 (2024)

The effect of thermal and thermomechanical treatments on the structure and mechanical properties of pressed rods from aluminum alloy D16 (2024) is studied. The temperatures of phase transformations in the alloy are determined using the method of differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that pressing of the rods with diameter 350 mm after preheating to 380 – 470°C preserves cast structure in the central part of the pressed articles. Intermediate annealing at 380 – 420°C promotes leveling of the structure and uniform precipitation of S-phase particles, while the subsequent hot pressing of the rods with diameter 76 mm provides high mechanical properties throughout the entire cross section. The chosen temperature range of thermomechanical processing makes it possible to obtain a uniform distribution of structure and mechanical properties over cross section of the pressed rods.