The effects of late homogenization conditions on the Mg2Si particle size in a slow pre-heated 6063 aluminum extrusion billet

In order to investigate the effect of late homogenization conditions on the Mg2Si precipitation of 6063 grade extrusion billets are slow pre-heated to intentionally have large Mg2Si particle precipitation. Then the billets are water quenched to preserve this microstructure for late homogenizations. Finally billets are re-heated using two different furnace temperature as 450°C and 500°C at which temperatures the billet are held for 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h and 2.5 h periods and water quenched before being taken to metallographic examinations.