On the Pre-Forging Heating Methods for AA2014 Alloy

The aluminium alloy AA2014 is one of the most widely used of the 2xxx series al-loys, owing to its superior strength-to-weight ratio and stiffness. It is commonly forged to shape for use in aerospace parts. Three different small pilot-scale AA2014 billets were subjected to different heating operations, to physically simulate a pre-forge heating operation. The unheated sample and heated samples were then ana-lysed for microstructural evolution and mechanical properties, to understand how the pre-forge heat treatments may vary the starting condition of the alloy before being forged. It was shown that an induction heating process has the greatest impact upon the precipitation distribution. Whilst this variation is commonly considered a nega-tive impact, the opportunity to control the induction heating to promote preferential microstructure at specific locations within the billet, may be possible.