© 2008 All Rights Reserved Heat Treatment 2000, 0121 526 2000
Specialist in the Heat Treatment of
Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals
Ferrous and Non-
Aluminium Alloys
The heat treatment of cast and wrought aluminium alloys is carried out to change the mechanical properties of the castings
or extrusions. The heat treatment consists of one or more thermal cycles being applied to the aluminium alloy components.
The thermal treatments are designed by suffixes and main ones are as follows
M As cast or as manufactured
TB or T4 Solution treated and naturally aged
TE or T5 Artificially aged
TB7 Solution treated and stabilized
TF of T6 Solution heat treated and fully artificially aged
TF7 Solution treated and artificially aged and stabilized
TS Stress relieved and annealed
Solution Treatment (TB Condition)
Castings or extrusion are heated to a temperature just below the alloy melting point (this varies depending on the chemical
Compositions), for a time (this varies with alloy and section of the component) to allow the alloying constituents to enter
Into a solid solution. This solid solution is maintained by rapid cooling either by air blasting or quenching into a suitable
Medium usually water. In order to maintain distortion or avoid server internal stresses boiling water or polymer may be used
Precipitation Treatment (TE Condition)
This treatment is carried out in order to increase the strength and hardness of solution treated or as cast and as manufactured
Extrusions. The times and temperature vary depending upon the alloy and are usually in the temperature range 150/200°c.
Times vary between 2/24 hours. Lower temperatures and longer times give better precipitation and thus better mechanical
Properties.
Solution Treated and Stabilized Treatment (TB7 Condition)
After solution treatment the casting can be brought into a stable state by heating to a temperature between 200/250°c. Times
and temperature vary with different alloys and mass of the components.
Solution and Precipitation Treatment (TF Condition)
The highest mechanical properties are obtained by solution treatment followed by a precipitation treatment as described in
the section on precipitation.
Solution Treated and Stabilized Treatment (TF7 Condition)
Some components that are used at elevated temperatures such as pistons require a solution treatment and stabilization
between 200/250°c in order that further heating of the component in service will not affect the mechanical properties.
Stress Relieving and Annealing Treatment (TS Condition)
These processes are used to remove casting stresses of soften alloys for subsequent shaping or mechanical working.
Stress relieving can be carried out between 200/250°c and annealing from 350/400°c.
Copper Alloys
Dezincification Resistant Brass Treatment (DZR)
This brass is usually used for where dezincification type of corrosion may occur. This type of corrosion is prominent in hot water
Systems and so plumbing fittings are made of this type of brass. The resistance is obtained by careful control of the alloy
composition and the subsequent heat treatment. The heat treatment consists of heating between 500/540°c for 2/5 hours
and slow air cooling.
The heat treatment of cast and wrought aluminium alloys is carried out to change the mechanical properties of the castings
or extrusions. The heat treatment consists of one or more thermal cycles being applied to the aluminium alloy components.
The thermal treatments are designed by suffixes and main ones are as follows
M As cast or as manufactured
TB or T4 Solution treated and naturally aged
TE or T5 Artificially aged
TB7 Solution treated and stabilized
TF of T6 Solution heat treated and fully artificially aged
TF7 Solution treated and artificially aged and stabilized
TS Stress relieved and annealed
Solution Treatment (TB Condition)
Castings or extrusion are heated to a temperature just below the alloy melting point (this varies depending on the chemical
Compositions), for a time (this varies with alloy and section of the component) to allow the alloying constituents to enter
Into a solid solution. This solid solution is maintained by rapid cooling either by air blasting or quenching into a suitable
Medium usually water. In order to maintain distortion or avoid server internal stresses boiling water or polymer may be used
Precipitation Treatment (TE Condition)
This treatment is carried out in order to increase the strength and hardness of solution treated or as cast and as manufactured
Extrusions. The times and temperature vary depending upon the alloy and are usually in the temperature range 150/200°c.
Times vary between 2/24 hours. Lower temperatures and longer times give better precipitation and thus better mechanical
Properties.
Solution Treated and Stabilized Treatment (TB7 Condition)
After solution treatment the casting can be brought into a stable state by heating to a temperature between 200/250°c. Times
and temperature vary with different alloys and mass of the components.
Solution and Precipitation Treatment (TF Condition)
The highest mechanical properties are obtained by solution treatment followed by a precipitation treatment as described in
the section on precipitation.
Solution Treated and Stabilized Treatment (TF7 Condition)
Some components that are used at elevated temperatures such as pistons require a solution treatment and stabilization
between 200/250°c in order that further heating of the component in service will not affect the mechanical properties.
Stress Relieving and Annealing Treatment (TS Condition)
These processes are used to remove casting stresses of soften alloys for subsequent shaping or mechanical working.
Stress relieving can be carried out between 200/250°c and annealing from 350/400°c.
Copper Alloys
Dezincification Resistant Brass Treatment (DZR)
This brass is usually used for where dezincification type of corrosion may occur. This type of corrosion is prominent in hot water
Systems and so plumbing fittings are made of this type of brass. The resistance is obtained by careful control of the alloy
composition and the subsequent heat treatment. The heat treatment consists of heating between 500/540°c for 2/5 hours
and slow air cooling.
Non Ferrous Metals
• Aluminium - Brass - Copper
• Hot Water or Polymer Quench
(Temperature Controlled)
• Up To 2 Ton Loading
• Setting Facilities to Customer Requirements
• Hot Water or Polymer Quench
(Temperature Controlled)
• Up To 2 Ton Loading
• Setting Facilities to Customer Requirements
