Thermal characteristics of heat-treated aluminum high-pressure die-castings

High-pressure die-cast aluminum alloys cannot normally be heat treated because they contain pores that expand, causing surface blistering and dimensional change in components. Recent work has revealed a method by which heat treatment is now possible, resulting in significant improvements in the mechanical properties of these alloys that respond to age hardening. Now it has been shown that heat treatment has the additional desirable effect of improving thermal heat transfer characteristics in these die-cast alloys.