8. Heat treatment

After hot forming and processing, the final touch is to obtain the right microstructure, which determines the final properties:

• grain size ;

• the distribution and size of the desired precipitates (essentially the hardening phases).

Heat treatment generally consists of three major stages [M 1 165] :

• solution heat treatment (950/1,200°C) ;

• cooling mode after dissolving: air, oil, water ;

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