Abstract
Characteristics of hot extruded aluminum alloy in using rapidly solidified powder via SWAP process are investigated. Spinning Water Atomization Process (SWAP) is one of advanced powder processing technologies to prepare high-performance powder particles with fine microstructures. In this study, 7000 series aluminum alloy powder via SWAP are produced, and their characteristics such as the dependence of microstructures and micro-hardness on annealing temperature have been examined. The mechanical properties of wrought aluminum alloys consolidated by hot extrusion, in employing rapidly solidified powder via SWAP, are superior to those of extruded alloys in using ingot billets. The effects of T5 heat treatment conditions on microstructures and mechanical properties of wrought aluminum alloys are investigated, and the optimization on the pre-heating temperature of billets is discussed.