Abstract: A method for heat treating cast aluminum alloy components that includes obtaining a casting formed from an aluminum alloy having a silicon constituent and at least one metal alloying constituent, and heating the casting to a first casting temperature that is below but within 10° C. of a predetermined silicon solution temperature at which the silicon constituent rapidly enters into solid solution. The method also includes increasing the rate of heat input into the casting to raise the temperature of the casting to a second casting temperature that is above but within 10° C. of a predetermined alloying metal solution temperature at which the at least one metal alloying constituent rapidly enters into solid solution, maintaining the casting at the second casting temperature for a period of time that is less than about 20 minutes, and then quenching the casting to a temperature less than or about 250° C.

Abstract: A method for heat treating cast aluminum alloy components that includes obtaining a casting formed from an aluminum alloy having a silicon constituent and at least one metal alloying constituent, and heating the casting to a first casting temperature that is below but within 10° C. of a predetermined silicon solution temperature at which the silicon constituent rapidly enters into solid solution. The method also includes increasing the rate of heat input into the casting to raise the temperature of the casting to a second casting temperature that is above but within 10° C. of a predetermined alloying metal solution temperature at which the at least one metal alloying constituent rapidly enters into solid solution, maintaining the casting at the second casting temperature for a period of time that is less than about 20 minutes, and then quenching the casting to a temperature less than or about 250° C.

Abstract: A system for supporting castings during thermal treatments, such as solution heat treatment, quenching and aging, that includes a tray defining a horizontal base plane and having a plurality of tray openings therethrough, and a fixture extending over one or more of the tray openings. The fixture is formed by a plurality of support plates oriented vertically with lower portions extending across the tray opening and top edges extending above the tray opening with shaped profiles along the lengths thereof. The plurality of support plates form an open lattice having a plurality of top edges that together define an open support surface that is substantially complementary with an underside surface of a casting and configured to loosely support the casting atop the lattice and align the casting in space above the tray opening.

Abstract: A system for supporting castings during thermal treatments, such as solution heat treatment, quenching and aging, that includes a tray defining a horizontal base plane and having a plurality of tray openings therethrough, and a fixture extending over one or more of the tray openings. The fixture is formed by a plurality of support plates oriented vertically with lower portions extending across the tray opening and top edges extending above the tray opening with shaped profiles along the lengths thereof. The plurality of support plates form an open lattice having a plurality of top edges that together define an open support surface that is substantially complementary with an underside surface of a casting and configured to loosely support the casting atop the lattice and align the casting in space above the tray opening.

Abstract: A system for supporting castings during thermal treatments, such as solution heat treatment, quenching and aging, that includes a tray defining a horizontal base plane and having a plurality of tray openings therethrough, and a fixture extending over one or more of the tray openings. The fixture is formed by a plurality of support plates oriented vertically with lower portions extending across the tray opening and top edges extending above the tray opening with shaped profiles along the lengths thereof. The plurality of support plates form an open lattice having a plurality of top edges that together define an open support surface that is substantially complementary with an underside surface of a casting and configured to loosely support the casting atop the lattice and align the casting in space above the tray opening.

Abstract: A system for supporting castings during thermal treatments, such as solution heat treatment, quenching and aging, that includes a tray defining a horizontal base plane and having a plurality of tray openings therethrough, and a fixture extending over one or more of the tray openings. The fixture is formed by a plurality of support plates oriented vertically with lower portions extending across the tray opening and top edges extending above the tray opening with shaped profiles along the lengths thereof. The plurality of support plates form an open lattice having a plurality of top edges that together define an open support surface that is substantially complementary with an underside surface of a casting and configured to loosely support the casting atop the lattice and align the casting in space above the tray opening.

Abstract: A method for heat treating cast aluminum alloy components that includes obtaining a casting formed from an aluminum alloy having a silicon constituent and at least one metal alloying constituent, and heating the casting to a first casting temperature that is below but within 10° C. of a predetermined silicon solution temperature at which the silicon constituent rapidly enters into solid solution. The method also includes increasing the rate of heat input into the casting to raise the temperature of the casting to a second casting temperature that is above but within 10° C. of a predetermined alloying metal solution temperature at which the at least one metal alloying constituent rapidly enters into solid solution, maintaining the casting at the second casting temperature for a period of time that is less than about 20 minutes, and then quenching the casting to a temperature less than or about 250° C.