A method of thermomagnetically processing an aluminum alloy entails heat treating an aluminum alloy, and applying a high field strength magnetic field of at least about 2 Tesla to the aluminum alloy during the heat treating. The heat treating and the application of the high field strength magnetic field are carried out for a treatment time sufficient to achieve a predetermined standard strength of the aluminum alloy, and the treatment time is reduced by at least about 50% compared to heat treating the aluminum alloy without the magnetic field.