Kirkham Motorsports University Superplastic Forming Alloy Strength Demonstration

[Three Peaks]

David,

For a while when work was short in construction, I worked as a maintenance electrician at Sapa Profiles- a large producer of aluminum extrusions. We used mainly 6061 T6 from long log billets and huge presses for the extrusions. Some of the extrusions were quite large and some were also quite intricate.
The material requiring hardening after the extruding process went through a process called "Aging" or "Age Hardening" which brought the strength of the part up to it's potential. This was done at temperatures ranging from 350 degrees to start to 500-550 degrees to age and then a cool down to temper. Timing depended on the part shape, size, and required hardening.
I was told at the time that the aging process only "accelerated" the hardening process and natural aging of the 6061 would eventually create the same hardness over time but would take up to 1-2 years to create the same conditions.

Would an aging process like this work for your engine block to create the hardness in the center where the billet may be "soft?"

Your videos and information piques my curiosity and creates more questions than answers at times......

Bob

[Don]

David:

" .......Happy to answer any questions, or go deeper if you want. "

Thanks for the reply and info, had previously bought the Fiske Wheels for the Z06

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

David,

Would an aging process like this work for your engine block to create the hardness in the center where the billet may be "soft?"

Your videos and information piques my curiosity and creates more questions than answers at times......

Bob

Yes, many times large parts are rough machined and then heat treated (and aged). Then, they are final machined to size.

Questions are good. As Shingo said, "We must ask why--five times."

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Don

David:

" .......Happy to answer any questions, or go deeper if you want. "

Thanks for the reply and info, had previously bought the Fiske Wheels for the Z06

Happy to help!

David