Abstract:The effect of decreasing the homogenization temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2024-T3 alloy was investigated. The results show that the area fractions of the residual coarse secondary phases after homogenization at 430 ℃ or 460 ℃ for 24 h followed by rolling are close to each other, and both are higher than that of the alloy homogenized at 490 ℃ for 24 h as routinely used in the industry. The alloys with homogenization of 430 ℃/24 h or 460 ℃/24 h and solution treatment have higher recrystallization fractions and finer grain sizes due to the PSN (Particle Stimulated Nucleation) effect of the coarse secondary phase. Hardness tests and tensile tests show that the peak hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the three alloys are relatively close to each other. Therefore, appropriately decreasing the homogenization temperature can improve the uniformity of grain size, reduce the cost, and maintain the excellent tensile properties of 2024-T3 plates. Whereas the high-temperature homogenization of 490 ℃/24 h can make the 2024-T3 sheet have relatively good plasticity and toughness.