Optimizing Aging Time: Mechanical Behaviour and Microstructure Evolution of A6061 Aluminium Alloy

Authors

  • Nidhin Raj A Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University, India Author
  • Binil Benny Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University Author
  • Midhun B Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University Author
  • Joseph Salu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21467/proceedings.7.5.10

Keywords:

Aluminium, Microstructure, Ultimate Tensile Strength

Abstract

The mechanical behaviour of A6061 Aluminium alloy, which is well known for its strength, corrosion resistance, and light properties, is investigated herein for various aging times (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hours) at 220°C. The study aims to establish the optimum aging time that maximizes the mechanical performance of the alloy by systematically studying microstructure changes and tensile properties (Ultimate Tensile Strength, Yield Strength, and %elongation). Microstructural observation revealed slight refinement in grain size. Strength was found to be increasing and decreasing with increasing aging time showing optimum range (UTS: 241 MPa, YS: 163 MPa, % elongation :11.7) at 3rd hour. The increasing and decreasing trend in the strength values is attributed to initiation of Mg2Si and finally the formation of equilibrium phase. The purpose of the research is to understand how aging influences precipitate development, which has a direct influence on the material's ductility, strength, and hardness. In addition, the study yields a comprehensive appreciation of the aged alloy’s suitability for various engineering applications, including structural, automotive, and aerospace components.

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Published

2025-09-23

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 5 (2025): Proceedings of the International Conference on Innovations in Mechanical Robotics Computing and Biomedical Engineering: ICIMRBE 2025

Section

Articles

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
N. Raj A, B. Benny, B. Midhun, and J. Salu, “Optimizing Aging Time: Mechanical Behaviour and Microstructure Evolution of A6061 Aluminium Alloy”, AIJR Proc., vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 72–77, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.21467/proceedings.7.5.10.