A Study on the Effects of Thermal Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Novel Aluminum Alloy

• Optimal aging at 180°C for 12 hours yields the highest tensile strength of 450 MPa with 12% elongation. • The formation of fine, coherent precipitates is the primary strengthening mechanism. • Over-aging leads to coarsening of precipitates and a decrease in strength. • The developed alloy shows potential for automotive and aerospace applications due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.