Ageing process of an Al-4%Cu-0.5%Mn alloy was examined by means of hardness measurements, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and electrical resistivity measurements. Significant effects were found to be given in the final ageing process when the pre-ageing treatment was carried out at 100120°C. The effects were produced in two different types, according to the ranges of temperature for the final ageing, i. e., the ranges of lower than 160°C and higher than 170°C. The results obtained were as follows:
(1) The alloy was not age-hardened at room temperature for several weeks. Its electrical resistivity was increased to some extent at the early stage of ageing, but the value was little changed after it reached a limited value. Pre-ageing at room temperature had no effects on the subsequent artifical ageing process.
(2) When the ageing treatment was made immediately after quenching, ambiguous two-stage hardening process took place at 150°C, but single-stage hardening process at 160°C. Whereas, the pre-ageing at 120°C for 100min, showed clear two-stage hardening process for any of 150 and 160°C treated specimens. The first stage hardening process due to G. P. zones was accelerated, but the second stage one mainly due to the precipitation of Θ"was retarded. The values of maximum hardness between the specimens with and without pre-ageing were nearly the same, but they were likely to be lowered to some extent for the pre-aged specimens.
(3) Single-stage hardening process took place in the case of ageing at 170180°C for any of the specimens either pre-aged or not. However, the hardening rate and the maximum hardness were much higher for the pre-aged specimens, which would be owing to the acceleration of precipitation of Θ".
(4) On ageing the pre-aged specimens at 170180°C, the process of decreasing electrical resistivity due to the precipitation of Θ' was retarded.
Electron microscopy showed that the fine structure of the pre-aged specimens was still maintained after they were over-aged.
(5) The effects of pre-ageing perfectly disappeared at temperatures higher than 200°C.
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