What standard heat treatment processes are used for aviation aluminum alloy?

The core process consists of solid solution treatment and artificial aging hardening. Solid solution heating dissolves strengthening alloy elements into the aluminum matrix, followed by rapid water quenching to form supersaturated solid solution. Subsequent low-temperature aging promotes uniform precipitation of fine strengthening particles to maximize strength and hardness. Improper temperature, holding time or quenching speed will cause insufficient strength or serious stress corrosion susceptibility. Special double aging procedures are applied to high-strength 7xxx aviation aluminum to balance strength and anti-cracking performance.