Aluminum is one of the most important metals. Its alloys are used in many fields, from aerospace, food, pharmaceutical, automotive, electrical and construction industries. Such a widespread use is possible because of its good properties, which include the excellent ratio between strength and density, high ductility, good temperature and electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys in group 1xxx are wrought alloys which comprise technically pure aluminum, including 1070 alloys, and the 3xxx group alloys are aluminum wrought alloys with the main alloy element of manganese. Aluminum alloy 3003 belongs to this group.
In this diploma work titled Monitoring of Homogenization of Aluminum Alloys by Measuring Electrical Resistance, we wanted to establish a measuring system to measure specific electrical resistivity in order to monitor the homogenization of aluminum alloys. For this purpose, we supplemented the dilatometer DIL801 to measure specific electrical resistivity as a function of temperature, in addition to dilatation measurements. Since the measurements were not successful, we inserted a measuring system in a horizontal tube resistance furnace. The electrical resistivity measurements of aluminum alloys 1070 and 3003 were carried out at a 12 hours period of homogenization at 580 °C. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was also performed to confirm the homogenization process.
After the measurements of the specific electrical resistivity and the produced graphs, we confirmed the operation of the measuring system in the horizontal furnace. However, with the aluminum alloy 1070 as expected at a temperature of 580 °C, there was no change in its specific electrical resistivity. With the 3003 alloy, there was a decrease in resistivity in a period of time at the temperature of 580 °C. The DSC analysis also showed the correctness of the homogenization process, as the DSC curve decreased in the first 7 hours at a temperature of 580 °C, as well as the electrical resistivity curve. In the next 5 hours, both curves (DSC and electrical resistivity) decreased with a lower slope. Therefore, it can be concluded that the main part of the homogenization of aluminum alloy 3003 at 580 ° C is finished after 7 hours.
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