New Development of Thermomechanical Processing (TMP) and High Volume Production Aluminium Wheel Suspension Arms 2001-01-3417

The performance of automotive components is strongly controlled by the costs in the process chain from melt to final shaped product. In comparison with other aluminium alloys the AA 6082 base alloy have a lot of advantages, highly formable, corrosion resistant and with high strength in combination with good ductility. The main objective of the research is to reduce steps from forging stock to final shaped product including heat treatment. The reduction of heat treatment time and the in line processing of heat treatment and mechanical processing like forming is the main step forward. The basic understanding of the material behaviour during processing like time, temperature and deformation are the main background for the development of new forging lines. The principle of microstructural control is kept as one key issue since the microstructure and the final properties of the product are closely linked. In the new developed Raufoss forging process the material even have better properties in the final shaped product in comparison with the traditionally manufacturing techniques. The mechanical strength is shown to be more than 10 % higher and the cost saving potential is significantly.