I'm Sandra Adams, a blogger and enthusiast of many eclectic targets, including pottery and industrial equipment and supplies. I've traced my family tree as far back as I can go and there is not one moment where my family hasn't been involved in manufacturing. My dad worked as a mechanic repairing industrial machinery and if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have anyone to pass down his knowledge to. I've always wanted to know what my dad was up to, so I'd ask him what he did everyday. I've always been really curious and this has lead me to develop a really strong understanding of industrial equipment. My love for industrial equipment hasn't waned and now I feel like sharing this knowledge with others. I've created this blog for this exact purpose.
Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals, and for good reason. It's lightweight, versatile, and resistant to corrosion. However, you may wish that your aluminum was stronger. Fortunately, there are methods you may use to strengthen your aluminum.
Why Aluminum?
While aluminum soda cans might easily crush underfoot, aluminum can also be so strong that it is used in the construction of cars and skyscrapers. Aluminum actively makes vehicles better. They are even used for extreme applications, such as in space and in warfare.
Dispersion Strengthening
Dispersion strengthening is one method by which aluminum can be strengthened. During the casting, dispersoid particles form as a result of the aluminum reacting to magnesium. The dispersoid particles strengthen the aluminum. As a result, this aluminum has more strength than an alloy that does not use dispersoids.
Solid Solution Strengthening
By adding certain alloying elements to a mix, you can increase the strength of your aluminum. Manganese and magnesium are common examples of materials used in solid solution strengthening.
Fine-Grain Hardening
Fine-grain hardening increases the strength of your alloy by increasing the number of grain boundaries, which inhibits dislocation movement. This makes the aluminum stronger as a result.
Cold Working
Cold working, also referred to as work hardening, is a process that reduces the thickness of a material. Cold rolling is used to produce thinner sheets that are stronger due to being thinner. Wires and tubes are made stronger through drawing. Fortunately, regardless of the type of aluminum you're working with, you'll be able to strengthen it through cold working.
Heat Treatments
Heat treatment is used to strengthen a variety of metals, including aluminum. Age hardening is the most important part of heat treatment, but other important parts include annealing and thermal softening. When heated to a high temperature, alloying constituents dissolve in an even manner. Then, the temperature needs to be suddenly reduced to harden the aluminum.
Precipitation Strengthening
Very tiny particles form during precipitation strengthening. These are made up of compounds and alloying elements. The precipitates can be formed through various heating processes. The precipitates form during a process known as aging. This is often used because it can substantially increase the strength of aluminum up to 15 times. How strong the aluminum will be is based on the type of alloy used.
For more information about aluminum or working with aluminum, contact a metalworking business like A & C Metals - Sawing.
Share25 January 2019
