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Abstract

Provided is a method of heat treating a die cast aluminum alloy component. A die cast component has at least one thin walled region with a thickness of ≤5 mm. The alloy has silicon at ≥6.5 mass % to ≤15.5 mass %, copper at ≥0.1 mass % to ≤3.5 mass %, magnesium at ≤0.5 mass %, manganese at ≤0.6 mass %, and chromium at ≤0.6 mass %. The method includes quenching the die cast component at a cooling rate of ≥ about 100° C./second to a first temperature of less than 50° C. and age hardening by heating the die cast component to a second temperature of ≥ about 150° C. for a predetermined duration of time to facilitate formation of particles of Mg₂Si in an aluminum alloy matrix. The aluminum alloy treated by the method can form lightweight, high strength, high ductility components.

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First Claim