The Heat Treatment of Rheo-High Pressure Die Cast 6xxx Series Al-Mg-Si-(Cu) Alloys

Limited information is available regarding the heat treatment response of age-hardenable wrought Al-alloys produced by semi-solid metal forming. In this study, the effects of chemical composition, natural pre-ageing and artificial ageing on the T6 properties of rheo-high pressure die cast 6xxx series Al-Mg-Si-(Cu) alloys are investigated. A Cu-free alloy 6082 is compared with Cu-containing alloys 6013 and 6111. The effects of Mg:Si ratio of the alloys are also quantified by means of a comparison between alloys 6111 and 6013. Artificial ageing curves following either no or 5 days of natural pre-ageing are also presented.