Engineering

Prototype Process Comparison Chart

Molding Process Comparison Chart

Heat Treat Designations / Types

• F:    As cast
• O:   Annealed
• T4:  Solution heat treated and naturally aged to a stable condition
• T5:  Cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged
• T6:  Solution heat treated and then artificially aged
• T7:  Solution heat treated and overaged

Heat Treat Definitions

Annealing:  Heating castings to increase ductility, which also tends to decrease strength.   
Solution Heat Treat:  Heating castings to a suitably elevated temperature and holding at that temperature long enough to allow elements to enter into a solid solution and then cooling rapidly to maintain that solid solution.   
Aging:  Precipitation of solute atoms at room temperature (natural age) or elevated temperatures (artificial age).   
Overage: Additional aging to improve dimensional stability.