Application of aging heat treatment to AA2014-Al4C3 systems produced by powder metallurgy and investigation of their microstructural properties

0-4 % in wt. Al4C3 powders were admixed to AA2014 aluminum powders produced by gas atomization technique. The mixed powders were pressed under 660 MPa pressure in single act die at room and 200 °C temperatures. The specimens were sintered at 580 °C under Ar gas atmosphere for 60 min. The aging properties in AA2014 with different Al4C3 ratio produced via powder metallurgy route were studied. For this purpose, the sintered specimens were solved at 510 °C for 7 hours and quenched in water media to supersaturate solid solution. To detect optimum aging times for specimens, aging processes were applied at 190 °C for different times. The microstructure, macro and microhardness studies carried out for optimal aging conditions. While the increase in hardness took place up to 450 minute aging times for all specimens, after this time, decrease in hardness were seen. It was observed that Al4C3 addition partially increased the aging time of the cold pressed specimens whereas it decreased that of hot pressed ones. Microstructure analyses showed that Al4C3 led to considerable amounts of voids, microcracks and interface decohesion. It was clear that the addition of Al4C3 to AA2014 alloy via the method of this study does not contribute effectively to its mechanical performances.Key Words : Powder Metallurgy, Aging, Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Aluminum, Al4C3