The solutionizing process, also known as solution treatment or solution annealing, is a heat treatment method used to strengthen certain metals, particularly aluminum alloys, by dissolving alloying elements into a solid solution. It involves heating the metal to a specific temperature where the alloying elements dissolve, followed by rapid quenching to trap these elements in a solid solution. This creates a soft, ductile material that can then be hardened through a subsequent aging process.
Aging aluminum between 100°C–260°C (212°F–500°F) is called artificial aging because the alloy is heated to produce precipitation. Using a lower aging temperature has the effect of making the properties more uniform. When heat treated alloys are aged at room temperature it is called natural aging