Papers by Keyword: AA6181PX

Abstract: Aluminum alloys have great potential for lightweight construction. In order to achieve an optimized properties distribution for the forming operation and to enhance the formability of aluminum alloys, so called Tailored Heat Treated Blanks (THTB) are developed. In this context, this paper is about the local precipitation hardening of sheet metals for the application of THTB. By using a specific, short-term heat treatment via conductive heating plates the thermal induced hardening of the fast hardenable alloy AA6181PX is quantified and qualified. Considering the processibility of the local precipitation hardening for THTB, a process window for the heat treatment parameters is presented allowing a precise setting of the mechanical material properties.

Abstract: Tailored Heat Treated Blanks (THTB) are blanks that exhibit locally different strength specifically optimized for the succeeding forming process. The strength distribution is set by a local, short-term heat treatment modifying the mechanical properties of the material. Hence, THTB allow enhancing forming limits significantly leading to shorter and more robust manufacture process chains. In order to qualify the use of THTB under quasi series conditions, the interdependencies of the blank’s local heat treatment and the entire process chain of the car body manufacture have to be analyzed. In this respect, the impact of a short-term heat treatment on the mechanical properties of AA6181PX, a commonly used aluminum alloy in today’s car bodies, was studied. Also the influence of a short-term heat treatment on the coil lubricant, usually already applied by the material supplier, was given a closer look. Based on these experiments process restrictions for the application of THTB in an industrial automotive environment were derived and a process window for the THTB design was set up. In conclusion, strategies were defined how to enhance the found process boundaries leading to a more robust process window.