SOLUTIONIZING TAPER QUENCH

摘要

A method and apparatus for conditioning an aluminum billet for extrusion from an extrusion press. The billet is first heated above the solutionizing temperature fox the MgSi phases in the aluminum matrix, then the billet is cooled below the solutionizing temperature to an adequate hot working temperature. Preferably, a temperature gradient is created along the length of the billet wherein one end of the billet is at or above the hot working temperature and the other end of the billet is cooled to a temperature below the hot working temperature. Thereafter, the billet is placed into the extrusion die, the hot end adjacent the die and the cool end adjacent the ram of the extrusion press. The billet is then extruded producing an extruded product with uniform properties along the length of the product with minimal defects such as tearing or hot shorting.