ALUMINUM TEMPER DESIGNATIONS
aluhm > 02-25-2018, 06:53 AM
The temper designation follows the alloy code and is separated by a hyphen.
-F As Fabricated: Applies to products of rolling or forming where there is no special control over the thermal or work-hardening conditions. Since mechanical properties may vary widely, no limits have been assigned. This temper usually applies to sheet products which are at intermediate stages of production.
-H Strain-Hardened: Applies to wrought products which are strengthened by cold-rolling or cold-working.
-O Annealed: Applies to wrought products which have been heated above the recrystallization temperature to produce the lowest tensile strength condition of the alloy.
DESIGNATIONS OF THE –H STRAIN HARDENED TEMPERS
The First Digit
There are three different methods used to achieve the final temper of strain hardened material.
–H1 Strain Hardened Only: Applies to products which are strain hardened to obtain the desired strength level without any subsequent thermal treatment.
–H2 Strain Hardened And Partially Annealed: Applies to products that are strain hardened to a higher strength level than desired, followed by a partial anneal (or “back anneal”) which reduces the strength to the desired level.
–H3 Strain Hardened And Stabilized: This designation only applies to magnesium-containing alloys which gradually age- soften at room temperature after strain hardening. A low temperature anneal is applied which stabilizes the properties.