Rapid infrared heat treatment of aluminum cast structures

Heat treatment is energy intensive, yet it is a critical process in the manufacturing of high-performance aluminum cast-structures. In this study, an emerging rapid infrared (RI) heating technology is utilized to achieve faster heating rates and precise control over time and temperature, thus enabling the elimination of the unnecessary long heat treating times in an aluminum T6 process. Effects of shorter solution hold times on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a sub-liquidus (semi-solid) cast high-performance 3XX series aluminum alloy are investigated and results are compared with castings produced using conventional heat treating conditions. The study is aimed at optimizing the solutionizing hold times that would minimize energy consumption and still produce castings with either conventionally equivalent or superior fatigue properties. Potential energy and cost savings in the heat treating of cast aluminum structures using the rapid infrared and conventional heating methods will also be discussed.