Warm forging of aluminium alloys: a new approach for time compression of the forging sequence

A new forging sequence, including a warm forging process, is proposed in order to obtain time compression in the production of forgings in heat treatable aluminium alloys. It offers the advantage of eliminating time consuming and expensive heat treatments. The proposed sequence consists of a solution treatment, followed by water quenching and then by warm forging that produces a fine precipitate structure characterised by high mechanical properties. The optimal warm forging condition was investigated by evaluating the strength and ductility values of the forgings by means of compression testing. The warm forging operation of the AA 6082 aluminium alloy, in the as-solutioned condition, at a temperature of about 240°C, after the natural ageing, provides mechanical properties that are almost coincident with those obtained after conventional forging sequences including an artificial ageing treatment. It was also observed that at such temperature the mechanical properties of the warm-forged parts are not significantly affected by the die speed.