- #1
Linghunt
- 42
- 4
Probably a simple question.
I'm looking to soften the 6061-T6 so I can do a crimping / forming operation.
My initial thought was to anneal the material and do forming before the aluminum ages back to a T4. I'm not interested in getting the material back to a T6 state for this application.
Should I do a "solution heat treatment" or an "annealing" process to soften up the aluminum.
Below is the process details that I have found in research. -John
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HEAT TREATMENT
Solution heat treat at 990°F for adequate time to allow for thorough heating and then water quenched. Precipitation hardening is done at 320°F for 18 hours and air cool, followed by 350°F for 8 hours and air cooled.
ANNEALING
Annealing should be done at 775°F for at 2 to 3 hours at temperature, followed by controlled cooling at 50°F per hour down to 500°F then air cooled.
AGING
The aging precipitation heat treatment is done at 350°F for 8 hours followed by air cooling. This produces the T6 temper.
I'm looking to soften the 6061-T6 so I can do a crimping / forming operation.
My initial thought was to anneal the material and do forming before the aluminum ages back to a T4. I'm not interested in getting the material back to a T6 state for this application.
Should I do a "solution heat treatment" or an "annealing" process to soften up the aluminum.
Below is the process details that I have found in research. -John
-------------------------------
HEAT TREATMENT
Solution heat treat at 990°F for adequate time to allow for thorough heating and then water quenched. Precipitation hardening is done at 320°F for 18 hours and air cool, followed by 350°F for 8 hours and air cooled.
ANNEALING
Annealing should be done at 775°F for at 2 to 3 hours at temperature, followed by controlled cooling at 50°F per hour down to 500°F then air cooled.
AGING
The aging precipitation heat treatment is done at 350°F for 8 hours followed by air cooling. This produces the T6 temper.