Precipitation Hardening

Precipitation Hardening deals with precipitation hardening, an important method by which the resistance to plastic deformation of a metal crystal may be increased. The impact made by X-ray methods, dislocation concepts, and electron microscopy is highlighted. This book is divided into four sections and begins by outlining the broad basis of age-hardening, touching on topics such as the mechanisms of diffusion, phase equilibria, and nucleation. The X-ray metallography and electron microscopy of aging are examined next, along with changes in mechanical and physical properties on aging. This discussion is followed by a chapter on the metallography of aged alloys and theories of the mechanisms of hardening. The next section discusses the slip interference theory of the hardening of metals; precipitation hardening of aluminum-magnesium-zinc alloys and reversion through age-hardening; and the influence of small additions of silver on the aging of aluminum alloys. The final section outlines some theories of the mechanisms of hardening. This monograph will be useful to students and practitioners in the field of metallurgy.