Aktivität: Vortrag ohne Tagungsband / Vorlesung › Präsentation auf einer wissenschaftlichen Konferenz / Workshop
Beschreibung
6xxx-series aluminum alloys are widely used in automotive and construction industries due to their low weight, recyclability, and excellent mechanical properties. The homogenization heat treatment plays a critical role in optimizing these alloys for subsequent hot forming (e.g., rolling or extrusion) by influencing dispersoid precipitation and the dissolution and re-precipitation of Mg-Si phases. However, common experimental methods for studying these phenomena are time- and labor-intensive. In this study, we employ in situ differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to analyze the homogenization behaviour of three 6xxx aluminum alloys under varying soak temperatures and cooling rates. The resulting heating and cooling curves provide insights into phase transformations, dispersoid number density, and Mg-Si-phase evolution, supported by microstructural investigations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our findings show that soak temperature has the most significant impact on microstructural changes, while cooling rate variations within an industrially relevant range have a lesser effect. This study demonstrates that in situ DSC is a rapid, cost-effective tool for optimizing homogenization parameters, reducing the need for extensive furnace trials, and enhancing alloy performance in industrial applications.