Effect of Heat Treatment Parameters on Distribution and Volume Fraction of Mg2Si in the Structural Al 6063 Alloy

Aluminum Profiles -Production by extrusion from aluminum billets require a certain degree of homogeneity because of the segregated second phase particles, which are available in the as cast structure of the billets. Worldwide practice suggests a long homogenizing process at elevated temperatures in order to achieve such condition. This study showed that profiles extruded from homogenized and unhomogenized billets did have the same mechanical properties and even better metallurgical features, for the interest of unhomogenized one, such as second phase distribution and amount of second phase dissolved in solution. As a result, the whole homogenizing process could be eliminated without sacrificing any of mechanical properties.