Investigation of the effect of conventional aging and new generation interrupted aging processes on the mechanical and tribological properties of aa6061 aluminum alloy

In the development of new-generation aluminum alloys, alloying alone is not sufficient to achieve the desired properties such as high specific strength (strength-to-density ratio), ductility, and toughness. Therefore, additional heat treatment processes are required. In this context, aging treatments based on precipitation hardening play a critical role in enhancing the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys. Although conventional T6 aging treatment provides high hardness and strength, it may lead to undesirable reductions in ductility and toughness in some advanced engineering applications. To overcome these limitations, interrupted aging treatments have been developed, which allow for more controlled formation of precipitate phases and thus enable the simultaneous improvement of strength, ductility, and toughness. These new-generation heat treatment strategies offer significant advantages, particularly in high-performance sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and defense industries. In this thesis study, T6I4 interrupted aging treatment was applied to 6061 aluminum alloy specimens as an alternative to the conventional T6 heat treatment. The aim of this new-generation heat treatment process is to achieve a more controlled precipitation mechanism, thereby enhancing mechanical strength while preserving ductility and toughness. The results obtained revealed the relationship between aging time and hardness, changes in tensile and bending strength, plastic deformation capacity, as well as surface roughness and coefficient of friction. In this way, the effects of T6I4 interrupted aging parameters on the mechanical and tribological behavior of 6061 aluminum alloy were systematically analyzed.