Precipitationhardening
Precipitation hardening, also known as age hardening, is a heat treatment process used to increase the strength of certain aluminum, copper, nickel, and steel alloys. The method relies on the controlled formation of fine, uniformly dispersed particles (precipitates) within the metal matrix, which impede the movement of dislocations and raise the alloy’s yield and tensile strength.
The process typically involves three steps. First, a solution treatment dissolves alloying elements to form a
Commonly used alloys include several aluminum systems (such as 2xxx, 6xxx, and 7xxx series), certain copper alloys,
Applications span aerospace, automotive, and toolmaking, where high strength-to-weight ratios are desirable. Successful precipitation hardening requires