Introduction
Artificial Aging is the treatment of 6xxx series alloy by heat the supersaturated solid solution below the solvus temperature around 170°C at various time intervals ( 1 , 60 , 120 ,240 min) after water quench so as to accelerate a finely dispersed precipitate in the aluminium matrix. The fine precipitates in the alloy impede dislocation movement by forcing the dislocations to either cut through the precipitated particles or go around them. By restricting dislocation movement during deformation, the alloy is strengthened. Generally, aging may occur at room temperature (Natural Aging) but the precipitates change and settle very slowly at room temperature. But artificial aging will speed up this change more rapidly at higher temperatures. This process ensures quality and accuracy in close tolerance specifications. It also helps manufacturers make machine-ready parts available much more quickly to machinists and distributors.