The electric pulse assisted aging process of 2219 aluminum alloy plates is simulated and studied by experiments.The effect of electric pulse on the current density distribution

Joule heat effect

mechanical properties and precipitates microstructure is investigated by simulation analysis

electric pulse assisted aging test

tensile test and transmission electron microscopy observation. The results show that the peak current density of the electric pulse assisted aged plate is symmetrically distributed. Under the current density of 80A/cm2

the peak current density in most areas of the sheet is between 40 and 120A/cm2. Meanwhile

the temperature rise of the plate is less than 1℃ . Compared with the conventional aging process

the aging precipitation process is accelerated and the distribution of precipitates is homogenized after the electric pulse assisted aging process. The peak aging time was shortened from 15h to 10h

peak aging yield strength also increased from 283MPa to 303MPa. Furthermore

it indicated that the electric pulse assisted aging process can shorten the production time and improve the mechanical properties of the studied alloy.