6063T4 - time@temp for hot form?

[stegs]

My project is to change the material grade from 5052 to a 6xxx series to reduce cost - maybe 6063 T4? What temper is best to start with (raw tube) if I am going to hot form, quench and heat treat?

I started some trials with parts that were 6061-T6 - I heated them to 515°C, quenched in water and am having them heat treated back to T6. The tube is heated for ~70 seconds in the process and then formed. Is the material in hot enough for long enough in my process for this to be possible?

My thinking is that if I try this again at 6063T4 (hot form, water quench and then heat treat to T6) it would yield a better result. Again, I only have about 70 seconds to hold the part at 510°C

Any feed back or ideas are appreciated!

 

[tbuelna]

Have you actually found that 6063 aluminum is lower cost than 5052 for your application? You mentioned that the material is a formed tube, but is there welding involved? The benefit of using 5052 vs. 6063 or 6061 is that 5052 has good mechanical strength without the need for heat treatment.

 

[stegs]

The 6061 is substantially cheaper (based on info from our purchasing group). No info on 6063 but I was only going by properties. There will be a patch welded on the part in a subsequent process.

 

[TVP]

Based on your process description, I would try 6061 or 6063 in the T4 temper, hot form, quench, and then perform the standard low temperature aging treatment to end up with ~ T6 temper.