It has been the practice of Designers to specify heat treatment to enhance mechanical properties, hardness and machinabilty. Only certain Aluminium Alloys containing alloying elements like CU, Si, Mg and Zn in certain specific percentages can be heat treated to have desired mechanical properties. Other non heat treatable alloys can at the most be annealed to facilitate forming operations.
The various alloying elements mentioned above have limited solubility in solid state and this increase with increased temperature.
Solution Heat Treatment
This involves heating of Aluminium alloy to a particular temperature for sufficient time so that the alloying elements go into solid solution and forma single phase. The factors which affect the final properties of the alloy are soaking temperature, soaking time and cooling rate.
The Soaking temperature depends on various phases which are present in alloys. Each phase will dissolve in solid solution at different rates. The soaking time is based on the rate of dissolution of alloying elements into solid solution. It also depends on the conditions under which the alloy is cast. Sand cast parts have coarser structure than permanent mould casting. Hence sand castings take time for dissolution of phases necessitating longer soaking time.
Commonly used T6 Heat Treatment Process:
1. Solutionising : Keep in furnace at 525 Deg Celsius for 8 Hrs.
2. Quenching : Sudden Quenching in Water at 30 Deg Celsius.
3. Natural Ageing : Upto 5 Hrs
4. Precipitation : Keep in furnace at 165 Deg Celsius for 8 Hrs.
5. Hardness to be achieved between 80-100 BHN
For highly stressed castings it is usually necessary to use heat-treatable alloy. Full heat treatment involves rapid quenching of castings from high temperature solution treatment. The designer must recognize that this process imposes limitations on the size and complexity of castings and that some precautionary measures, such as the use of cast tie bars, may be necessary to minimize distortion of large or intricate castings. Alternatively, for some castings the use of a less strong alloy not requiring full heat treatment is preferred, the deficiency in strength being overcome by increased scantlings in the casting.
At VJP, we have the capability to undertake these heat treatment processes through our associate vendors. We ensure that the processes are carried out as per the highest standards of quality and as per the specifications of our customers.
Coating
Coating is the process whereby components and products are coated or plated through various methods. The coating processes generally utilized by us include :
Painting
This refers to the process whereby a component or product is coated with paints of various types. These paints are chosen as per the requirements of customers and their diverse properties such as water resistance, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance etc.
Plating
Plating refers to the process whereby a metal salt solution is deposited onto metal or conductive surfaces. This includes chrome plating, that is conducted as per the specifications of customers, & powder coating which is conducted as per specifications for colors etc. as required by the clients.
Our coating services adhere to all certifications and quality requirements of our customers. |
