Ford Motor Company
HIGH PRESSURE DIE CAST (HPDC) ALUMINUM ALLOY HEAT TREATMENT FOR IMPROVED RIVETABILITY VIA MODIFICATION OF AS-CAST STRUCTURE

Abstract:

A method of treating a high pressure die cast (HPDC) material to improve rivetability is provided. The method includes exposing the HPDC material to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and 450.degree. C. for a time period between 10 minutes and 5 hours in a heat treatment step. In this method, the heat treatment results in eutectic silicon spheroidization of the HPDC material such that the HPDC material does not crack after rivet installation. The method further includes the step of exposing the HPDC material to a subsequent heat treatment step at about 180.degree. C. for about 30 minutes after quenching. Moreover, the quenching may be a forced air quench for a period of 6.degree. C./s.