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.