Aluminum alloy material processing equipment and method

Abstract

The invention provides an aluminum alloy material processing method, and relates to the technical field of aluminum alloy processing. Comprising low-temperature solid solution treatment, pre-aging treatment, high-temperature solid solution treatment, regression treatment and secondary aging treatment which are sequentially carried out, the problem that the comprehensiveness of an existing aluminum alloy material is insufficient is solved, especially the strength is insufficient, and therefore all aspects, especially the strength performance, of the aluminum alloy material are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aluminum alloy processing, and in particular to an aluminum alloy material processing device and method. Background Art

[0002] Aluminum alloy is an alloy material based on aluminum, with other metal elements (such as copper, magnesium, zinc, silicon, etc.) added to improve its performance. Aluminum alloy is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and has high strength, and is widely used in aerospace, automobile, construction, electronics and other fields.

[0003] Conventional aluminum alloy material processing includes extrusion, forging, casting, stamping and welding. Conventional processing methods are relatively mature, but they cannot improve the performance of the aluminum alloy material itself.

[0004] At present, the comprehensive performance of aluminum alloy materials needs to be further improved. For example, the strength of aluminum alloy is still obviously insufficient compared to the performance, and needs to be further improved. Therefore, the present invention proposes a method for processing aluminum alloy materials to at least partially solve the problems that may exist in the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an aluminum alloy material processing device and method, which can propose solutions to the deficiencies of the prior art and at least partially solve the problems that may exist in the prior art.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: A method for processing an aluminum alloy material, comprising: Low temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to low temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 280-450°C for 1-4 hours, and strain is applied at the same time to precipitate the first crystal; Pre-aging treatment: Carry out pre-aging treatment for 4-12 hours at an ambient temperature of 110-130℃; High temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to high temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 460-590°C until the excess phase is fully dissolved into the solid solution, and then water-cooled and quenched to room temperature; Regression treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to regression treatment at an ambient temperature of 200-280°C and maintained for 2-3 minutes; Aging treatment: again carry out aging treatment at an ambient temperature of 110-130°C for 4-12h.

[0007] Optionally, the high temperature solutionizing step applies strain at the solutionizing temperature.

[0008] Optionally, plastic treatment is also included, specifically including, after the high-temperature solution treatment step, obtaining a preset shape by plastic processing the aluminum alloy material when heated to the solution treatment temperature.

[0009] Optionally, the plastic processing includes forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing, processing, stretching, bending and shearing. Specifically, in a mold heated at a solution treatment temperature, the temperature of the aluminum alloy material is maintained and plastic processing strain is applied; Cooling to room temperature to obtain the preset shape.

[0010] Optionally, the aluminum alloy material is 7000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 280°C to 330°C.

[0011] Optionally, the low-temperature solution treatment temperature is 310°C.

[0012] Optionally, the aluminum alloy material is 2000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 320°C to 380°C.

[0013] Optionally, the low-temperature solution treatment temperature is 350°C.

[0014] Optionally, the aluminum alloy material is 6000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 300°C to 350°C.

[0015] Optionally, the low-temperature solution treatment temperature is 330°C.

[0016] The present invention has at least the following advantages or beneficial effects: By sequentially performing low-temperature solution treatment, pre-aging treatment, high-temperature solution treatment, regression treatment and aging treatment again, the current problem of insufficient comprehensiveness of aluminum alloy materials, especially the deficiency in strength, has been solved, thereby significantly improving various aspects of aluminum alloy materials, especially the strength performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for processing aluminum alloy materials provided in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, a method for processing aluminum alloy material is provided for this embodiment, comprising: S1. Low temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to low temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 280-450°C for 1-4 hours, and strain is applied at the same time to precipitate the first crystal; S2. Pre-aging treatment: perform pre-aging treatment for 4-12 hours at an ambient temperature of 110-130°C; S3. High temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to high temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 460-590°C until the excess phase is fully dissolved into the solid solution, and then water-cooled and quenched to room temperature; S4. Regression treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to regression treatment at an ambient temperature of 200-280°C and maintained for 2-3 minutes; S5. Aging treatment: again carry out aging treatment at an ambient temperature of 110-130°C for 4-12h.

[0021] In this embodiment, by first performing low temperature solution treatment, which is the precipitation phase stage, and combining the applied strain, the low temperature solution treatment is performed at an ambient temperature of 280-450°C and strain is applied (i.e., a load is applied to the granular crystal particles and precipitates), so that the aggregated crystal particles and precipitates can be decomposed, thereby achieving high strength due to the supersaturated solid solution of the elements. Among them, the crystal particles and precipitates include but are not limited to MgZn2, Mg2Si, Al6Fe, Al3Fe, Al 17 Cu2Fe, etc. Then, during the aging process, the nano-precipitated phase can be precipitated around the grain boundary, thereby reducing or eliminating the precipitation-free precipitation zone, effectively improving the corrosion resistance of the ultra-high-strength aluminum alloy while maintaining high strength and toughness. Among them, the regression treatment is a heat treatment process in which the aluminum alloy that has been significantly strengthened (hardened) by natural aging is rapidly heated to 200-250℃ or a temperature slightly higher than this temperature, kept warm for a very short time (2-3min), and then cooled in water. The regression treatment process restores the low strength and high plasticity of the alloy in the newly quenched state, making it easy to perform various cold deformation or riveting operations, effectively improving the corrosion resistance of the ultra-high-strength aluminum alloy material, and maintaining high strength and toughness.

[0022] Furthermore, the above-mentioned S1, low-temperature solution treatment, is carried out at a temperature of 280-450°C. The main purpose is to dissolve certain elements in the alloy in the matrix, and at the same time promote the precipitation of the first crystal by applying strain. This process can be understood as a pretreatment stage. By controlling the temperature and time, the alloy elements form a uniformly distributed solid solution in the matrix. The temperature of the low-temperature solution treatment is relatively low, which can effectively reduce the evaporation loss of the alloy elements, while avoiding the coarsening of the grains of the material at high temperature and maintaining a good microstructure. The precipitation of the first crystal can serve as a nucleation point for the precipitation strengthening phase in subsequent high-temperature solution treatment and aging treatment, thereby enhancing the strength and hardness of the material.

[0023] Through the above-mentioned S3, high-temperature solution treatment step, the temperature range of high-temperature solution treatment is 460-590°C, which is much higher than the low-temperature solution treatment. Its purpose is to fully dissolve the excess phase in the alloy into the solid solution to form a more uniform solid solution. At high temperatures, the diffusion rate of alloying elements is accelerated, and the dissolution of excess phases is more thorough, which is conducive to the uniform precipitation of strengthening phases in subsequent aging treatments, thereby improving the strength and hardness of the material. Water-cooling quenching after high-temperature solution treatment can quickly fix the solid solution structure formed at high temperature, prevent grain growth and coarsening of precipitates before aging, and maintain the high hardness and strength of the material.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned S3 high-temperature solution treatment step applies strain at the solution treatment temperature. First, through high-temperature solution treatment, even if part or all of the separated crystals or precipitates are not dissolved in the low-temperature solution treatment step, they can be dissolved in the high-temperature solution treatment step, thereby obtaining a supersaturated solid solution of some elements. That is, even if the crystals and precipitates are not decomposed in the low-temperature solution treatment step, the crystals and precipitates can be dissolved to a certain extent by heating the aluminum alloy material to the high-temperature solution treatment temperature range; thus, high strength can be achieved through supersaturated solution of elements during the high-temperature solution treatment process. Avoid the situation where the crystals or precipitates that cannot be partially or completely separated are not dissolved by only the low-temperature solution treatment step, resulting in insufficient performance of the aluminum alloy material.

[0025] It should be noted that, although only using low-temperature solution treatment can promote the formation of the first crystallization, the dissolution of the excess phase may not be sufficient, affecting the strengthening effect of the subsequent aging treatment. While only using high-temperature solution treatment can achieve the dissolution of the excess phase, it may cause grain coarsening due to the high temperature, affecting the plasticity of the material. In this embodiment, by combining these two treatment methods, the advantages of both can be combined. Specifically, low-temperature solution treatment promotes the precipitation of the first crystallization, providing nucleation points for the uniform precipitation of the subsequent strengthening phase; high-temperature solution treatment fully dissolves the excess phase, ensuring the strengthening effect of the aging treatment; secondly, low-temperature treatment prevents possible grain coarsening at high temperature and maintains the plasticity and toughness of the material; combined use can optimize the microstructure of the material and improve the comprehensive properties of the material, such as strength, hardness, plasticity and toughness. Therefore, the combination of low-temperature solution treatment and high-temperature solution treatment can significantly improve the comprehensive properties of aluminum alloy materials by optimizing the microstructure and strengthening mechanism of the material.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, plastic treatment is also included, specifically including, after the high-temperature solution treatment step, plastic processing is performed on the aluminum alloy material when heated to the solution treatment temperature to obtain a preset shape. By performing plastic processing when the material is in a relatively high plastic state, the shape of the material can be more accurately controlled, and at the same time, the state after the solution treatment is utilized to ensure that the performance of the material during the forming process is not damaged; wherein, performing plastic processing at high temperature can control the microstructure of the material, such as refining the grains, which helps to form a more uniform and finer precipitation phase in subsequent cooling and aging treatment, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the material; by performing plastic processing directly after the high-temperature solution treatment, subsequent processing steps, such as machining, can be reduced, thereby saving cost and time.

[0027] Further, the plastic processing method is refined, specifically including that the plastic treatment is forging processing, specifically, in a mold heated at a solution treatment temperature, the temperature of the aluminum alloy material is maintained and plastic processing strain is applied; cooling treatment is performed to room temperature to obtain a preset shape. The temperature of the aluminum alloy material is maintained and strain is applied in a mold heated at a solution treatment temperature until it is cooled to room temperature to obtain a preset shape. Through the specified plastic processing method, the shape and size of the material can be more accurately controlled to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the product; different plastic processing methods have different effects on the microstructure of the material. By selecting a suitable processing method, the microstructure can be further optimized while maintaining the material properties, such as refining grains, eliminating internal stress, etc. Among them, plastic processing at a solution treatment temperature can reduce energy consumption during processing and improve processing efficiency. At the same time, through precise plastic processing, material waste can be reduced and material utilization can be improved. The microstructure and performance of the material are further optimized, and the processing efficiency and product performance of the aluminum alloy material are improved.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aluminum alloy material is 7000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 280°C to 330°C. Among them, the preferred low-temperature solution treatment temperature is 310°C. Since the 7000 series aluminum alloy mainly contains zinc (Zn) as the main alloying element, it may also contain magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), etc. This type of aluminum alloy has high strength but poor plasticity. The purpose of low-temperature solution treatment is to promote the solid solution of alloying elements and promote the precipitation of the first crystal by applying strain. The above-mentioned temperature of about 310°C can effectively promote the solid solution of zinc, while avoiding excessively high temperatures that lead to grain coarsening and evaporation losses of alloying elements.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aluminum alloy material is 2000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature range is 320°C-380°C. Among them, the preferred low-temperature solution treatment temperature is 350°C. Since the 2000 series aluminum alloy mainly contains copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg), it is a high-strength aluminum alloy, but its processing performance is poor. The strength is improved by controlling the solid solution and precipitation of elements such as Cu and Mg. The low-temperature solution treatment at 350°C promotes the effective temperature of the solid solution of Cu and Mg elements, while avoiding the coarsening of grains and the evaporation of alloying elements, ensuring the high strength of the material and good heat treatment response.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aluminum alloy material is 6000 series, and the low temperature solution treatment temperature range is 300°C-350°C. Among them, the preferred low temperature solution treatment temperature is 330°C. Since the 6000 series aluminum alloy mainly contains magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si), a Mg2Si phase is formed, which is characterized by good processing performance and medium strength; within this temperature range, the Mg2Si phase can be effectively dissolved into the solid solution, and the temperature is not too high, which can avoid silicon oxidation and abnormal grain growth. The above-mentioned low temperature solution treatment temperature is 330°C, which is an optimal temperature for fully dissolving Mg2Si without causing a decrease in material properties. It is determined on the basis of ensuring the optimization of material properties, and can balance the strength, plasticity and responsiveness of subsequent processing of the material.

[0031] In one example, in the above-mentioned high-temperature solution step, strain is applied at the same time. When the process is completed, it is quickly cooled to room temperature (generally 25°C) by water quenching. If the cooling speed is slow, the elements dissolved in the aluminum alloy matrix will partially precipitate, causing coarsening and other problems, resulting in reduced strength. Therefore, it is necessary to cool at a rate that does not cause precipitation of dissolved elements, that is, cooling at a rate at which dissolved elements cannot diffuse. The above-mentioned spin-applied strain can be rotated by the container combined with the motor. When the centrifugal force is large enough, the above-mentioned aluminum alloy can be sheared, thereby applying strong strain to it.

[0032] It should be noted that since water-cooling quenching is currently a more common cooling method, it will not be described in detail here. For the high-temperature solution treatment step, due to the different component contents in the aluminum alloy, the high-temperature solution treatment temperature range is also different. For example, in the 7000 series, there are mainly 7050 and 7075, which generally use a temperature range of 450℃ - 515℃.

[0033] After low-temperature solution treatment according to the present invention, for 7000 series aluminum alloys, the tensile strength after low-temperature solution treatment is approximately between 500-550 MPa; the tensile strength of 6000 series aluminum alloys is approximately between 350-400 MPa; the tensile strength of 2000 series aluminum alloys is approximately between 450-500 MPa, and these data refer to the strength that can be achieved only after low-temperature solution treatment without other treatments.

[0034] Furthermore, pre-aging treatment helps to further strengthen the alloy, and by promoting the formation of precipitation hardening phase, the tensile strength will continue to increase. It is expected that the tensile strength of 7000 series aluminum alloys may rise to 550-600 MPa; 6000 series aluminum alloys can be increased to 400-450 MPa; 2000 series aluminum alloys can be increased to 500-550 MPa.

[0035] Furthermore, after high temperature solution treatment, the excess phases in the alloy will redissolve in preparation for the subsequent aging treatment. At this time, the tensile strength may decrease slightly, but it is still significantly higher than the initial level.

[0036] Furthermore, regression treatment helps stabilize the alloy's microstructure and may slightly increase or maintain tensile strength.

[0037] Aging treatment once again is a key step in strengthening aluminum alloys, which significantly improves the strength of the material by precipitating hardened phases. The tensile strength of aluminum alloys that have been aged can reach very high levels. The 7000 series is generally between 570-710MPa, and the strength of some aluminum alloys can reach more than 900 MPa. For example, the 650MPa ultra-high-strength aluminum alloy strip can reach a tensile strength of 676.2MPa after T6 state aging treatment. By optimizing heat treatment and aging treatment, high-strength aluminum alloy materials can be achieved; after aging treatment again, the tensile strength of the 2000 series aluminum alloy is usually between 500-600MPa; Compared with the previous aluminum alloys, the 2000 series aluminum alloys use copper (Cu) as the main alloying element, have higher strength, but poor corrosion resistance. Its tensile strength is about 350-450 MPa; the 6000 series aluminum alloys mainly contain magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si), have good processing performance and medium strength, and its tensile strength is about 200-300 MPa; the 7000 series aluminum alloys use zinc (Zn) as the main alloying element, and can achieve very high strength through heat treatment, and its tensile strength is about 450-550 MPa. The aluminum alloy material processed by the processing method of this application has a significant improvement in strength.

[0038] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make other changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or terminal device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or terminal device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or terminal device including the elements.

[0042] The above is a detailed introduction to an aluminum alloy material processing equipment and method provided by the present invention. Specific examples are used in this article to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core idea. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for processing aluminum alloy material, characterized in that: include: Low temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to low temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 280-450°C for 1-4 hours, and strain is applied at the same time to precipitate the first crystal; Pre-aging treatment: Carry out pre-aging treatment for 4-12 hours at an ambient temperature of 110-130℃; High temperature solution treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to high temperature solution treatment at an ambient temperature of 460-590°C until the excess phase is fully dissolved into the solid solution, and then water-cooled and quenched to room temperature; Regression treatment: The aluminum alloy material is subjected to regression treatment at an ambient temperature of 200-280°C and maintained for 2-3 minutes; Aging treatment: again carry out aging treatment at an ambient temperature of 110-130°C for 4-12h.

2. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high temperature solutionizing step imparts strain at the solution treating temperature.

3. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes plastic treatment, specifically including, after the high-temperature solution treatment step, obtaining a preset shape by plastic processing the aluminum alloy material when heated to the solution treatment temperature.

4. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plastic processing includes forging, rolling, extrusion, drawing, processing, stretching, bending and shearing. Specifically, in a mold heated at a solution treatment temperature, the temperature of the aluminum alloy material is maintained and plastic processing strain is applied; Cooling to room temperature to obtain the preset shape.

5. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The aluminum alloy material is 7000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 280°C to 330°C.

6. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The low temperature solution treatment temperature is 310°C.

7. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The aluminum alloy material is 2000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature ranges from 320°C to 380°C.

8. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The low temperature solution treatment temperature is 350°C.

9. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The aluminum alloy material is 6000 series, and the low-temperature solution treatment temperature range is 300°C-350°C.

10. The aluminum alloy material processing method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The low temperature solution treatment temperature is 330°C.

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