Modelling of the age hardening behaviour of Al-Mg-Si alloys

In the present investigation a special control volume formulation of the classical precipitation model for coupled nucleation, growth and coarsening has been adopted to describe the evolution of the particle size distribution with time during thermal processing of Al-Mg-Si alloys. The analysis includes both isothermal and non-isothermal transformation behaviour. Well established dislocation theory is then used to evaluate the resulting change in hardness or yield strength at room temperature, based on a consideration of the intrinsic resistance to dislocation motion due to solute atoms and particles, respectively following heat treatment. The model is validated by comparison with experimental microstructure data obtained from transmission electron microscope examinations and hardness measurements, covering a broad range in the experimental conditions. It is concluded that the model is sufficiently relevant and comprehensive to be used as a tool for predicting the response of Al-Mg-Si alloys to thermal processing, and some examples are given towards the end. (C) 2001 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.