Quenching Aluminum for Residual Stress and Distortion Control∗

Abstract

Abstract The heat treatment of aluminum (Solution Heat Treatment, Quenching and Aging) are critical processes to insure that the desired mechanical and corrosion properties are achieved. Of these steps, quenching is perhaps the most critical of all the operations. If quenching is too fast, properties are met, but the part may have excessive distortion or residual stresses. This can result in shortened life due to residual stresses, or result in additional non-value added straightening of the component and this increases cost and cycle time. In this paper, the mechanism for distortion of aluminum is explained, and methods (racking and quenchants) are shown that can reduce distortion and residual stresses in heat treated components.