2015 Volume 56 Issue 7 Pages 1058-1062
The age hardening of an Al-Mg-Si alloy was enhanced by the effect of high-speed (105 s−1) compression prior to aging. This enhancement of the age hardening is brought about by the formation of vacancy clusters during high-speed compression. High resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that these vacancy clusters form stacking fault tetrahedra. Following peak aging, vacancy clusters and aging precipitates coexist in the grain interior. The high aging hardness obtained following high-speed compression is most probably due to the combined effects of vacancy and precipitation hardening.
