Age hardening process, also called precipitation hardening, is used to increase the tensile and yield strength of materials including most alloys of magnesium, titanium, nickel and some stainless steel. Age hardening creates changes in physical and mechanical properties by producing fine particles of a precipitate phase, which impede the movement of dislocations, or defects in a crystal’s lattice. Since dislocations are often the dominant carriers of plasticity, this serves to harden the material.
Age Hardening Properties
•Creates high tensile strength and hardness properties
•Improves wear resistance
•Reduces ductility/toughness properties
•Process allows for easy Machinability in soft state prior to age hardening
•Allows for little-to-no distortion of the part or component
•Alloy must be properly solution-treat annealed prior to aging
Applications
•For metal parts and components which call for an increased yield strength
•Al, Titanium and Stainless steel parts
•Aircraft parts
•Turbine blades
•Moulding dies
