Through Process Microchemistry Effects on the Properties of 8xxx Sheet

In commercial 8xxx alloys several material characteristics such as softening behaviour, strength and technological ductility are influenced by alloying elements in their solute and precipitated form (i.e. microchemistry). Depending on the thermo-mechanical processing conditions a spectrum of microchemistry states (including variations of solute level, phase volume fraction, phase morphology) and therefore a spectrum of possible microchemistry-microstructure interactions can be obtained and used for a set up of sheet properties. In the present paper, the impact of homogenization conditions on the microchemistry development in selected 8xxx alloys is discussed with a view of controlling final properties. Effect of the processing route on the microchemistry evolution is demonstrated using the statistical Classical Nucleation and Growth (ClaNG) model.