Impression Technologies Ltd., England, has developed Hot Form Quench technology, a process in which stamping and heat treating are combined in a single operation to produce complex aluminum parts up to 20 percent lighter than corresponding cold-formed components.
In the HFQ process, 6000- and 7000-series aluminum blanks are heated to 930 – 1000°F, then placed in a tool and pressed to shape. This in-die process enables producing complex geometries from ultrahigh-strength grades. In addition, by pressing to shape at this high temperature, parts can be deep-drawn, and springback is considerably reduced. The part is quenched while still in the tool, followed by aging to a T6 condition.
According to the company, some European OEMs are replacing steel and cold-formed body pillar supports, door reinforcement panels, and other structural and multipiece assemblies with these components to help lower carbon emissions and improve gas mileage.
