An Advanced Industrial Methodology for Optimizing the Properties and the Process of Homogenization for Extruded AA2xxx and AA6xxx

We have established an industrial methodology for the prediction, formation, transformation, and growth of individual phases in the microstructures of aluminum alloys used for the most demanding applications. The thermodynamic calculations of the equilibrium and nonequilibrium states were performed with the Thermo-Calc program, and the microstructure was analyzed with optical and scanning electron microscopy. The effectiveness of the analytical procedure was tested on selected formable alloys from the AA2xxx and AA6xxx series (AA2024, AA2618, and AA6082), where we systematically developed or optimized selected properties of the product. With these advanced thermodynamic and metallographic tools, we can provide our customers with a quality that meets their requirements and creates economic benefits in the form of the higher added value of the finished products and cost savings in the production process.