Whole-furnace calorimetry reveals phase transformations in aluminum alloys

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is widely employed for analyzing phase transitions in aluminum alloys and steels, offering insights into formation and dissolution of second phase precipitates. However, DSC is a laboratory method and industrial heat treatments are typically performed without direct access to such microstructural information. This study introduces a whole-furnace calorimetry approach that leverages industrial furnace energy intake and temperature data to perform calorimetric analysis in situ without additional experimental effort. Proof-of-concept experiments on EN AW-6082 billets demonstrate the feasibility of whole-furnace calorimetry for detecting phase transformations during heat treatments. The method shows promising agreement with DSC in both peak shape and temperature. By offering microstructural insights during metal processing, whole-furnace calorimetry opens new avenues for process optimization and data-driven prediction of material properties. • Novel approach introduced: Whole-Furnace Calorimetry (WFC). • Industrial furnaces can act as calorimeters using existing power data. • WFC reveals phase transformations in aluminum alloys during heat treatment. • Excellent agreement with DSC confirms the validity of the WFC approach. • WFC enables in situ microstructural insight with industrial-scale relevance.