Age-Hardening of Rheo-High Pressure Die Cast Al-Alloy 6066

Abstract

Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy 6066 is a heat-treatable wrought alloy that is commonly used in high performance bicycle frames. Wrought alloys are difficult to cast using conventional liquid casting techniques, as hot tearing can occur. However, a method that effectively reduces that risk is rheo-high pressure die casting (R-HPDC). Casting alloy 6066 using semi-solid metal processing makes it possible to be used for near-net shape forming of components. This study investigates the age-hardening response of R-HPDC alloy 6066. The effects of different solution heat treatments, natural pre-ageing and artificial ageing are studied. The different solution heat treatments investigated are a one-step and a two-step solution treatment. The one-step treatment was performed at 530°C only and the two-step treatment at 530°C followed by 550°C. It is shown that natural pre-ageing has a detrimental effect on the T6 properties and that the longer two-step solution heat treatment is justified due to an increase in hardness and prevention of incipient melting. The Vickers hardness in different temper conditions (F, T4, T5 and T6) were determined and compared to the typical hardness values of the alloy in the wrought condition.