Simultaneously Improving Process Efficiency and Mechanical Properties in Aluminum Alloys with Applied Magnetic Fields

Michael S. Kesler, Michael Thompson, David Weiss, Michele V. Manuel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In the aluminum heat treatment sector, large resistive batch furnaces are used for many heat treatment processes and are generally always running, operating at approximately 20–30% efficiency. The primary avenue for energy savings lies in shortening heat treatment times, which can be 24+ hours for solutionizing (450–625 °C) and aging treatments (150–250 ℃), depending on the alloy and specification requirements. The application of high magnetic fields (80%, while achieving ~10% improvement in microhardness, and these improvements persisted after longer thermal exposures simulating use. The microstructural evolution and resulting properties will be discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLight Metals, 2025
EditorsLes Edwards
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages246-251
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9783031806759
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
EventLight Metals Symposium held at the TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, TMS 2025 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: Mar 23 2025Mar 27 2025

Publication series

NameMinerals, Metals and Materials Series
ISSN (Print)2367-1181
ISSN (Electronic)2367-1696

Conference

ConferenceLight Metals Symposium held at the TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition, TMS 2025
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period03/23/2503/27/25

Keywords

  • Aluminum alloys
  • Applied magnetic field
  • Decarbonization
  • Heat treatment

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