Heat treatment technique optimization for 7175 aluminum alloy by an artificial neural network and a genetic algorithm

A systematic experimental investigation of the effect of heat-treatment technique on the mechanical properties of 7175 aluminum alloy was, carried out. Particularly, an artificial neural network and a genetic algorithm were used to search for the optimum technique, adapted for 7175 aluminum alloy. The results indicated strongly that an artificial neural network combined with a genetic algorithm indeed offer a new effective means for the optimization of materials processing technique. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.