Microstructure and mechanical properties of 6082 aluminum alloy processed by preaging and hot forging

A novel forging process of 6082 aluminum alloy is proposed, which can save time and reduce energy consumption while ensuring mechanical properties. In this process, the billet was preforged at solid solution temperature and then preaged, followed by warm forging at 200 °C. The flow behavior of the preaged samples during compression and the mechanical properties of the formed samples were investigated by hot compression tests. The differences in the precipitated phases of the samples with different processing parameters were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The best comprehensive performance was obtained after preaging at 120 °C for 4 h and holding at 200 °C for 10 min, and the Vickers hardness was HV 128, which was higher than that of the traditional process. Precipitation strengthening and dislocation strengthening were improved when the samples were formed at 200 °C. This forging process shows the advantages of short time consumption and low energy consumption, which can effectively improve the production efficiency while ensuring the strength after forming.