Influence of manufacturing conditions –, and heat treatments
Aluminium

Aluminum alloys are divided into two categories based on their hardening mechanism.

• Alloys without structural hardening (non-hardening). Their hardening results from the combined effect of alloying elements (Mg, Mn, Fe, Si, etc.) and cold plastic deformation, or work hardening. By adjusting the degree of work hardening (which increases hardness) and applying heat treatments such as annealing or stress-relief annealing (which reduce hardness), a wide range of hardness levels can be achieved for each alloy, from the annealed condition (O)—which has maximum ductility and minimum hardness—to the extra-hard condition (H19)—which has maximum hardness and minimum ductility. This category includes the 1000, 3000, and 5000 series....