Effects of Different Quenching Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of 6061 Aluminum Alloy in Hot Stamping

Due to the demand for reduction in weight and energy saving, the automation in the manufacturing of aluminum alloy sheets has been gathering pace. The effects of different holding pressures and holding time on the mechanical properties of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy during quenching by cold dies were investigated. The mechanical properties of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy quenched by cold upper die and hot lower die with different temperature and holding time at a certain pressure were also studied to explore the feasibility of pre-ageing with hot die in hot stamping to reduce the time of aging. The results showed that higher holding pressure and a holding time of 6-10 s were recommended while quenching by cold dies, so that higher UTS and hardness could be obtained. With the increase of hot die's temperature from 100 degrees C to 200 degrees C and holding time, the UTS and hardness increased, and higher UTS and hardness than the specimen quenched by water can be obtained. As a result, we demonstrated that the feasibility and possibility of pre-ageing with hot die to reduce the aging time.