Influence of Natural Aging and Cold Deformation on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of 6201-T81 Aluminum Alloy W
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Influence of Natural Aging and Cold Deformation on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of 6201-T81 Aluminum Alloy Wires E. Cervantes1, M. Guerrero1, J. A. Ramos2, S.A. Montes2 1
FIME-UANL, Av. Universidad S/N (CP 66451), 2 Viakable, S.A. de C.V., Av. Conductores 505 (CP 66493), San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, MX, MEXICO Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
ABSTRACT 6201 aluminum alloy is mostly used in electrical conductors for overhead transmission lines due to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties besides to an excellent corrosion resistance. This alloy is heat treatable and the thermal treatment is performed with the objective of obtain the optimal properties for its application. In this work it was studied the effect of different deformation grades, time variation of natural aging as well as the time and temperature of artificial aging on the evolution of mechanical and electrical properties. It was found that solution treated wires at 560°C by 4h, 14 days natural aged, 92% cold deformed and artificial aged at 165°C by 7h, reach a tensile stress of 326 MPa and an electrical conductivity of 57.2%IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). Keywords: aluminum alloy, electrical conductor, thermal treatment, natural aging, artificial aging.
INTRODUCTION In recent years aerial transmission cables ACSR made of 1350 aluminum alloy have been replaced by AAAC cables. The 6201aluminum alloy is mainly used for the manufacture of AAAC (All Aluminum Alloy Conductor) cables, due to its high tensile stress and good conductivity [1, 2]. However, this alloy must undergo a thermal treatment to obtain the necessary properties for this application, which consists of a solution and quenching treatments result in a supersaturated solid solution, then during the natural aging clusters of Mg and Si are formed, both species may affect the hardening produced by artificial aging [3, 4]. The artificial aging is the final step in the development of the final properties of heat treatable aluminum alloys. This treatment is performed in the temperature range of 110-190°C, causing the precipitation of Mg and Si from the solid solution forming Mg2Si, which increases the tensile strength and electrical conductivity. It is important to note that at higher temperatures and longer times provoke the formation of incoherent equilibrium phases, causing a reversal effect in the hardening of the alloy known as overaging [5].
Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 1275 © Materials Research Society
It has been suggested that the natural aging and cold deformation have an important effect on the mechanical and electrical properties, because these phenomena alter the distribution and size of the precipitates causing differences in the final properties of the artificial aging [6, 7]. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the natural aging and the cold deformation applied before the artificial aging on the final properties of a 6201 aluminum alloy used for producing wires, in order to understand t
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