Effect of solution annealing temperature on structure and mechanical properties of EN AW 2024 aluminium alloy

The effect of solution annealing temperature on the change of microstructural and mechanical properties of EN AW 2024 aluminium alloy was investigated using a metallographic analysis, Vickers hardness measurement and tensile test. An intensive growth of solid solution grains was the result of the increase of solution annealing temperature by the finely dispersed particles dissolved during applied annealing process. The role of these finely dispersed particles was to inhibit the recrystallization process and grain growth of solid solution matrix through its pinning effect on the migrated solid solution grain boundaries. Observed changes of the microstructure involved the strength decline and plasticity enhancement of analysed alloy quenched after solution annealing as well as the hardness decrease of naturally aged alloy.