Compositional analysis of the ageing precipitates in HSA6 alloys via Atom Probe Tomography

High strength materials have been great demands for structural materials, such as components in airplanes or cars, especially in electric vehicles. Aluminium alloys have high strength-to-weight ratio, leading to less energy consumption of vehicles and weight reduction of battery enclosures [1]. Al-Mg-Si(-Cu) alloys (6XXX series) are heat treatable alloys and play an important role in various industries due to their moderately high strength and good corrosion resistance, superior to other heat treatable aluminium alloys. The main strengthening mechanism of the alloy derives from the precipitation hardening. There are many factors that directly affect to precipitation hardening: (1.) Chemical composition of alloys such as alloying elements and (2.) Processing such as deformation and heat treatment [2].