Effect of low temperature stabilisation on the precipitation of a continuously cast Al–Mg–Si alloy

Twin-roll cast (TRC) Al–Mg–Si (AA6016) sheets subjected to various thermo-mechanical processing schemes were investigated using hardness measurements, mechanical tests and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of stabilisation annealing on the microstructure and properties of sheets subjected to annealing simulating car-body paint baking was studied. Stabilisation prevents natural ageing during storage and accelerates precipitation kinetics at annealing. Energy-consuming homogenisation does not improve properties and is not indispensable. The strength of TRC AA6016 alloy after paint-baking (so called T8X temper) is not inferior to the strength of a direct chill cast alloy.