Strengthening mechanism for alloys whose solubility for an element drops as temperature falls, including 2xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx aluminum, 17-4 PH stainless, maraging steel and many nickel superalloys. The cycle is solution treat, quench, then age; the nanoscale precipitates formed during aging block slip and can more than double yield strength. Unlike quench hardening of steel, the aging step causes very little distortion.
It's 17-4, so it's precipitation hardening, the mill already solution annealed it and we just age to H1025.
Also heard as
- PH
- age hardening
Related terms
Solution treating
Heating an alloy to dissolve its strengthening elements into one phase, then quenching to trap them there.
Aging
Holding a solution-treated alloy at room or moderate temperature so fine particles form and strengthen it.
Q&T
Quench and temper: hardening steel by quenching, then tempering it back to a set strength and toughness.