Effect of heat treatments on structural,microstructural and mechanical properties of Al 2017 alloy

The effect of ageing at 300°C before and after quenched at two temperatures of 180 and 280°C on the Al 2017 alloy was studied. The structural properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction; the microstructural evolution was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and microhardness measurement for the mechanical properties. After various states of ageing, the Al–Cu–Fe alloy shows significant changes in the microstructure and mechanical behavior. After ageing, the microstructure of the matrix consisted of a three solid solution of α-Al–Cu-Fe, β-AlFe and θ-A2Cu phases precipitations. After two-step heat treatment (quenching and ageing), the alloy reveals the formation of β and θ phases precipitates. After ageing at 300°C of original sample, the alloy reveals higher β precipitates, corresponding to the minimum value of microhardness, the volume fraction of this precipitates becomes higher. On the other hand, the TTT curves for the discontinuous and continuous precipitation reaction in this alloy have been suggested.