Using fuzzy logic based-modeling and simulated annealing approaches to optimize the hardness distribution of 2024 aluminum alloy during precipitation hardening heat treatment cycles

The present study assesses the impact of age hardening parameters, including aging temperature, aging time, and solution time, on the ultimate hardness of heat-treated 2024 aluminum alloys. Using a numerical approach, fuzzy logic systems were utilized as a robust tool to forecast the mechanical characteristics of high copper aluminum solid solutions throughout the age hardening process. In addition, an attempt was made to use a novel simulated annealing technique to determine the optimum hardness and its corresponding process parameters to achieve the highest mechanical properties. Comparing a fuzzy logic model with experimental results obtained from the Brinell hardness test showed the accuracy and confidence of the fuzzy model in representing such properties. The optimization results indicated that the maximum hardness can be obtained with a solution aging temperature of 173.5 °C, an aging time of 19 hours, and a solution time of 58 minutes. Overall, the variation in the experimental peak hardness obtained using the optimized process parameters was the deciding factor in believing the model.