The Effect of Extrusion and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties of 2024 Aluminum Alloy

Hot extrusion forming is one of the best cost-effective processing methods to obtain high-strength aluminum alloys. In order to obtain high performance 2024 aluminum alloy for the aero and automobile industries, this research comprehensively uses heat treatment and reverse isothermal extrusion technology to prepare 2024 alloy. The effects of homogenization, extrusion and post-extrusion annealing treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2024 aluminum alloy were discussed in detail. The results indicate that the grain refinement of the extruded alloy material is significant. The coarse eutectic microstructure at the grain boundaries was refined, and these grains tended to be uniformly distributed after the annealing treatment. Extruded 2024 aluminum alloy material mainly has S (Al2CuMg) and Al7Cu2Fe second phases. The appearance of a large number of S phases led to a significant improvement in the properties of the alloy with an increase in tensile strength and elongation of 176% and 547%, respectively. In addition, EBSD analysis showed a significant meritocratic growth in the extrusion direction with the appearance of Copper {112} <111> rolling weaving, which led to process hardening and the strength improvement of the alloy.