Predicting the response of aluminum casting alloys to heat treatment

Abstract

In this publication we report on the development of a mathematical model that enables predicting the changes in hardness of cast aluminum alloy components in response to heat treatment. This model is part of a more inclusive model that is currently under development and that when completed, will enable predicting the changes in room temperature tensile properties as a function of heat treatment. The model uses the commercially available finite element analysis software (ABAQUS) and an extensive database that was developed specifically for the aluminum alloy under consideration (namely, A356.2). The database includes mechanical, physical and thermal properties of the alloy all as functions of temperature. In addition, boundary conditions - in the form of the heat transfer coefficient associated with each one of the heat treatment steps - are obtained from measurements performed with specially designed quenching devices. The database and boundary conditions are used in a thermal analysis module and a user-developed module. The user-developed module uses Quench Factor Analysis to predict the maximum attainable hardness that develops in a commercial cast component that is subjected to a standard commercial heat treating cycle. A heat-treated part was used to validate the model prediction.