Effect of Process Parameters on Physical Properties of AA6201 Wires for Electrical Conductor Applications
摘要
AA6201 is a commercial grade heat treatable alloy for high strengthStrength conductor applications produced by castingCasting followed by solutionizing heat treatmentsHeat treatment. Conventionally, solutionizing is performed off-line adding to cost and complexity. The effect of temperature on achieving T1/T4 condition was studied using an in-line solutionizing heat treatmentHeat treatment. Additionally, the effect of grain refiners (Al-5Ti-B rods) feed rate on microstructureMicrostructure and material propertiesProperties was evaluated. Minimum cast bar temperature was determined using theoretical solvus temperatures (>490 °C) from literature. However, these values did not align with plant-scale results, prompting lab trials to determine the actual solvus temperature for plant setup. Results were investigated using DSCDifferential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and electrical conductivity measurementsMeasurements. Optimum mechanical propertiesMechanical properties were achieved above a minimum cast bar temperature of 530 °C. Artificial aging trials showed increased hardnessHardness from 30 to 70 HV. The optimum TiBor feed rate was determined for adequate grain refinement, optimum drawability, and electrical conductivity.