Understanding Alloy Microstructures: Slow Cooling vs Precipitation Hardening

[pukb]

how are microstructures of alloys different when slowly cooled and precipitation hardened?

 

[Astronuc]

Usually, a slowly cooled structure has a coarse microstructure - larger grains and larger/coarser precipitates. If one wants a fine microstructure and fine, dispersed precipitates, then one must quench below the transition temperature/threshold.

Then one can anneal at a lower temperature.