This practice covers the controls required and standards for extrusion press solution heat treatment for 6xxx and 7xxx series aluminum alloys. For alloys such as 6005, 6005A and 6105 alloys, this practice is an alternative to solution heat treatment in a furnace. This practice only applies to extrusion press solution heat treatment for aluminum alloys and does not cover precipitation hardening (aging) processing. The alloy billets shall be preheated prior to being extruded. Heating methods shall include, but not limited to, induction, flame impingement, or forced air. Pertinent control points shall include billet or log temperature in the heating equipment, billet temperature upon being charged into the press container, container temperature, ram speed, profile configuration, extrudate temperature upon exiting the press platen, extrudate temperature at quench entry, quench media temperature, and quench rate.

1.1 This practice establishes the controls required for extrusion press solution heat treatment of the 6xxx and 7xxx series aluminum alloys in Table 1 when ASTM material specifications allow use of this process in lieu of furnace solution heat treatment. For the alloys listed in Table 1, this practice is an alternate process to solution heat treatment in a furnace, such as specified in Practice B918/B918M for the attainment of T3, T4, T6, T7, T8 and T9-type tempers (see ANSI H35.1/H35.1M).

1.2 This practice applies only to extrusion press solution heat treatment for aluminum alloys. Precipitation hardening (aging) processing and equipment calibration shall meet the practice and requirements of Practice B918/B918M.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The SI units are shown in brackets or in separate tables. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.