Narrow Results

Due to the demand for weight loss and energy saving, the need to manufacture automobile structural components from aluminum alloy sheets is apparent. Hot stamping technology has been developed to form complex parts of aluminum alloys. However, the longtime solution and aging of aluminum alloys is still a challenge. Aiming at this goal, the effects of solution temperature and time on the mechanical properties of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy were studied. The results showed that solution temperature had a significant effect on the solution process and solution heat treated at 560 °C for 10 min was recommended. Then the negative natural aging effect (keeping effect) of 6061 was also investigated and it indicates that artificial aging must be carried out within 3 hours after quenching. Finally, novel heating methods were employed in the solution and aging process to achieve an efficient hot stamping process. The results showed that parts with good mechanical properties can be obtained by solution at 560 °C for 5 min and aging or pre-aging at 192 °C for 5∼10 min with the implementation of novel heating methods in hot stamping.