Aluminum alloy machining method, aluminum alloy part manufactured through aluminum alloy machining method and automobile

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an aluminum alloy machining method, an aluminum alloy part manufactured through the aluminum alloy machining method and an automobile. The method comprises the steps that an aluminum alloy raw material is heated to a first temperature within a first time period and subjected to heat preservation; the aluminum alloy raw materials are transferred to a machining table, and secondary heating and heat preservation are conducted within a second time period in the transferring process; wherein in the transferring process, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material is changed from the first temperature to a second temperature; the first temperature and the second temperature are both lower than the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material; and the transferred aluminum alloy raw material is subjected to follow-up machining treatment, and the aluminum alloy part is obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aluminum alloy processing, and in particular to an aluminum alloy processing method and aluminum alloy parts and automobiles obtained therefrom. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing requirements for lightweight automobiles, aluminum alloys have played an increasingly important role in lightweighting in the fields of aviation, automobiles, etc.

[0003] At present, the hot forming production process for aluminum alloys generally has problems such as high sheet heating temperature (such as reaching the solution temperature) and long heating time, resulting in low overall production efficiency and high energy consumption. In addition, there is a certain amount of heat loss in the process of transferring the heated raw materials to the processing table, resulting in the temperature of the raw materials entering the mold may not meet the relevant process requirements, affecting the quality of aluminum alloy parts.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an aluminum alloy processing method and aluminum alloy parts and automobiles obtained therefrom to improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption and heat loss during raw material transfer, make the temperature of the raw materials when entering the mold meet relevant process requirements, and improve the quality of the obtained aluminum alloy parts. Summary of the invention

[0005] In some embodiments of the present specification, a method for processing aluminum alloy is provided, the method comprising: heating an aluminum alloy raw material to a first temperature and keeping the temperature within a first time period; transferring the aluminum alloy raw material to a processing table, and performing secondary heating and keeping the temperature within a second time period during the transfer process; wherein, during the transfer process, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to a second temperature; both the first temperature and the second temperature are lower than the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material; and performing subsequent processing on the transferred aluminum alloy raw material to obtain aluminum alloy parts.

[0006] In some embodiments, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to the second temperature during the transfer process, including: reducing the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material from the first temperature to a third temperature; heating and keeping the aluminum alloy raw material warm so that the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material increases from the third temperature to the second temperature.

[0007] In some embodiments, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to the second temperature during the transfer process, including: the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material increases from the first temperature to the second temperature.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second time period is 0s to 30s.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second temperature is 0° C. to 50° C. lower than the solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second temperature is greater than 420°C.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first time period is 1 min to 3 min.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first time period and the second time period increase with the increase of the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period increases by 30s to 90s.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, and the first heating time in the first time period is related to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first heating time is correlated with the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material as follows: T=(60d+60)±60s Wherein, T is the first heating time, in seconds; d is the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, in millimeters.

[0016] Some embodiments of the present specification also provide an aluminum alloy part, which is prepared by the aluminum alloy processing method described in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0017] Some embodiments of the present specification also provide a car, comprising the aluminum alloy parts described in the aforementioned embodiments; and the aluminum alloy parts are located at one or more of the four door inner panels, four door outer panels, side panels, and structural reinforcements of the car body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] This specification will be further described in the form of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail by the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not restrictive, and in these embodiments, the same number represents the same structure, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is an exemplary flow chart of an aluminum alloy processing method according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the temperature change of aluminum alloy raw materials during the aluminum alloy processing process shown in some embodiments of this specification;

[0021] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of temperature changes of a heating device according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of temperature changes of aluminum alloy raw materials during aluminum alloy processing according to other embodiments of this specification;

[0023] Figure 5 is an exemplary flow chart of subsequent processing according to some embodiments of the present specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some examples or embodiments of this specification. For ordinary technicians in this field, this specification can also be applied to other similar scenarios based on these drawings without creative work. Unless it is obvious from the language environment or otherwise explained, the same reference numerals in the figures represent the same structure or operation.

[0025] In the production process of aluminum alloy, hot forming production is a very important process. In the related processes of hot forming production, the aluminum alloy raw material is usually directly heated for a long time (such as 10min-30min) to raise it to a higher temperature (such as reaching or exceeding the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material), and then transferred to the processing table for subsequent processing. In this process, long-term heating and excessively high temperature will not only lead to low production efficiency and excessive energy consumption, but also when the aluminum alloy raw material reaches the solid solution temperature, its precipitated phase will dissolve and produce a large number of voids. These pores serve as the initiation points of cracks and gradually expand in the subsequent drawing of the material, reducing the elongation of the material. In addition, there is a certain amount of heat loss in the process of transferring the heated raw material to the processing table, which affects the temperature of the raw material when it enters the stamping die and affects the stamping effect.

[0026] In view of this, the embodiment of this specification provides an aluminum alloy processing method and aluminum alloy parts and automobiles obtained therefrom. In the hot forming process of the aluminum alloy, the raw material is first heated to a first temperature below the solid solution temperature and kept warm, and then the aluminum alloy raw material is transferred to the processing table. The second heating is carried out to a second temperature below the solid solution temperature and kept warm. The heating time is shorter and the heating temperature is lower, which can improve production efficiency and reduce energy consumption. The heat loss of the raw material during the transfer process is reduced by the secondary heating method, and the temperature of the raw material when entering the stamping forming die is guaranteed, so as to obtain the effect of improving the formability of the raw material. At the same time, since the temperature during the heating process is lower than the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material, the strengthening phase in the aluminum alloy raw material can be prevented from melting, and the quality can be guaranteed in the subsequent processing of the material. For example, the deformation is relatively uniform during the stamping process, which ensures a higher elongation. Since the solid solution temperature is not reached, the organization of the material itself will not change, which ensures the strength of the material.

[0027] In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy processing method can be applied to the processing of 6XXX series aluminum alloys. 6XXX series aluminum alloys refer to aluminum alloy materials composed of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and other elements (such as copper, manganese, chromium, titanium, etc.). For example, 6XXX series aluminum alloys may include 6061 aluminum alloy, 6063 aluminum alloy, 6014 aluminum alloy, etc. 6XXX series aluminum alloys have excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and machinability, and are commonly used in aerospace, shipbuilding, automobiles, construction, electronics and other fields. In the embodiments of the present specification, 6XXX series aluminum alloy raw materials can be used, and 6XXX series aluminum alloy parts can be obtained by the aluminum alloy processing method.

[0028] In some embodiments, the 6XXX series aluminum alloy may include at least one of 6014 aluminum alloy, 6016 aluminum alloy, 6061 aluminum alloy or 6082 aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy processing method of the embodiment of this specification can be used to realize hot forming of the above-mentioned 6XXX series aluminum alloys by forming methods, and can make the obtained aluminum alloy parts have high ductility and high strength. Of course, the aluminum alloy processing method of the embodiment of this specification can also realize the forming of 6XXX series aluminum alloys of other grades, such as 6181 aluminum alloy, 6063 aluminum alloy, etc. The above description of the processing process of the aluminum alloy processing method in the 6XXX series aluminum alloy is only an example and does not constitute a limitation. Those skilled in the art can also apply the aluminum alloy processing method to the processing process of other series of aluminum alloys (such as the processing process of 2XXX series aluminum alloy, 5XXX series aluminum alloy, 7XXX series aluminum alloy, etc.).

[0029] Figure 1 is an exemplary flow chart of an aluminum alloy processing method according to some embodiments of this specification. Figure 1As shown, the process 100 includes the following steps. In some embodiments, the process 100 can be performed by a forming device for aluminum alloys.

[0030] Step 110, heating the aluminum alloy raw material to a first temperature and keeping the temperature within a first time period.

[0031] The first time period refers to the time during which the aluminum alloy raw material is heated and kept warm in the first heating device.

[0032] The first heating device refers to a device for heating the aluminum alloy raw material before being transferred to the processing table.

[0033] Figure 2 The following is a schematic diagram of the temperature change of aluminum alloy raw materials during the aluminum alloy processing process according to some embodiments of this specification. Figure 2 As shown, the first time period may be a time period from time point a to time point c. Time point a may be the time point when the aluminum alloy raw material starts to be heated in the first heating device, and time point c may be the time point when the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out of the first heating device and transferred.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first time period is 1 min to 3 min.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first time period includes a first heating time and a first keeping time.

[0036] The first heating time is the time for heating the aluminum alloy raw material in the first heating device. Figure 2 As shown, the first heating time may be a time period between time point a and time point b.

[0037] In some embodiments, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. For example, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may be 0.5 mm; for another example, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may be 2.1 mm; for another example, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may be 5.0 mm, etc.

[0038] In some embodiments, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may also be 0.5mm-4.5mm; the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may also be 0.5mm-4.0mm; the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may also be 0.5mm-3.5mm; preferably, the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material may be 0.5mm-3.0mm.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material within the above range, it can be ensured that the aluminum alloy raw material can be heated uniformly and is easy to form in the subsequent forming process.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first time period increases with the increase of the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period may increase by 30s to 90s. For example, for every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period may increase by 30s. For another example, for every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period may increase by 60s; for another example, for every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period may increase by 90s.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first heating time in the first time period is related to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For example, the thicker the aluminum alloy raw material is, the longer the first heating time is.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first heating time is correlated with the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material as follows: T=(60d+60)±60s Wherein, T is the first heating time, in seconds; d is the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, in millimeters.

[0043] For example, when the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is 1 mm, the first heating time is between 60 s and 180 s. For another example, when the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is 0.8 mm, the first heating time is between 48 s and 148 s.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present specification, the first heating time is set according to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. The influence of the thickness on the heating time can be taken into consideration, so as to facilitate timely adjustment of the heating time and ensure that all parts of the aluminum alloy raw material can be heated to achieve ideal forming performance, thereby avoiding adverse effects on subsequent forming processes.

[0045] In some embodiments, after the aluminum alloy raw material is heated to the first temperature, it can also be kept warm for a period of time in the first heating device.

[0046] The first temperature refers to the temperature at which the aluminum alloy raw material is heated and maintained in the first heating device. Figure 2 As shown, the first temperature may be T1.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first temperature is below the solution temperature of the aluminum alloy feedstock.

[0048] The solution temperature of aluminum alloy raw materials refers to the temperature at which the aluminum alloy is heated to a certain temperature range during the solution treatment process, so that the soluble phase in the alloy is completely dissolved in the matrix metal (aluminum) to form a uniform single-phase solid solution. For example, the solution temperature can be Figure 2 The temperature T shown in SHT .

[0049] Solution treatment refers to a heat treatment process that uses high temperature to dissolve other alloying elements in the alloy (such as magnesium and silicon in 6XXX series aluminum alloys) into the matrix to form a solid solution.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first temperature may be related to the grade of the aluminum alloy raw material, or may be related to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For example, different grades of aluminum alloy raw materials have different solid solution temperatures, and for aluminum alloy raw materials with higher solid solution temperatures, the first temperature may be higher; for another example, the thicker the aluminum alloy raw material, the higher the first temperature may be.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first temperature may also be determined based on a machine learning model. For more information on the related content, please refer to the relevant part below.

[0052] The first heat preservation time is the time for the aluminum alloy raw material to be kept warm in the first heating device. Figure 2 As shown, the first holding time may be the time period between time point b and time point c.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first holding time can be set according to aluminum alloy processing requirements.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first time period may also be related to the first temperature. For example, the higher the first temperature, the longer the first time period.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first time period may also be related to the heating power of the first heating device. For example, the greater the heating power of the first heating device, the longer the first time period.

[0056] In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy raw material may be a T4 aluminum alloy or an O aluminum alloy.

[0057] T4 aluminum alloy or O aluminum alloy may exhibit better ductility during heating.

[0058] The strengthening phase of T4 aluminum alloy and Guinier Prestonzone (GPzone) of O aluminum alloy did not form large particles, the mechanism of dislocation and its interaction is a cutting mechanism, the work hardening rate is small, the hindering effect on dislocation movement is small, and the plasticity of the material is better.

[0059] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present specification, by selecting T4 aluminum alloy or O aluminum alloy as the aluminum alloy raw material, and making the heating temperature (e.g., the first temperature) of the aluminum alloy raw material lower than the solid solution temperature, the heated aluminum alloy raw material can exhibit better processing performance. In some embodiments, other aluminum alloy raw materials, such as T5, T6, F aluminum alloy, etc., can also be used, which is not limited here.

[0060] Step 120, transferring the aluminum alloy raw material to the processing table, and performing secondary heating and heat preservation in a second time period during the transfer process.

[0061] The processing table is an operating platform for processing aluminum alloy raw materials. For example, the aluminum alloy raw materials can be processed on the processing table through stamping and subsequent pressure holding and cooling.

[0062] In some embodiments, the processing table may include a centering table. The centering table is a device or tooling used to align and position the aluminum alloy workpiece. Its main function is to ensure that the workpiece maintains an accurate centering position during the processing, thereby improving the processing accuracy and quality.

[0063] In some embodiments, after the aluminum alloy raw material is heated to a first temperature and kept warm for a period of time within a first time period, the aluminum alloy raw material can be transferred from the first heating device to a processing table for stamping, forming, pressure holding and cooling and other processing steps.

[0064] In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy raw material can be directly transferred from the first heating device to the stamping die of the processing table. However, during the transfer process of transferring the aluminum alloy raw material from the first heating device to the processing table, the heat of the aluminum alloy raw material will be dissipated, resulting in a decrease in temperature, affecting the temperature of the raw material when entering the stamping die, and affecting the stamping effect.

[0065] In some embodiments, the centering table may also be provided with a second heating device, and the process of transferring the aluminum alloy raw material to the processing table includes: first transferring the aluminum alloy raw material from the first heating device to the centering table in the processing table, and in the centering process, performing secondary heating and heat preservation on the aluminum alloy raw material by the second heating device, and then transferring it to the stamping die. Among them, secondary heating refers to the process of heating the aluminum alloy raw material heated by the first heating device again by the second heating device.

[0066] In some embodiments, before transferring the aluminum alloy raw material to the second heating device, the second heating device may be preheated to reduce heat loss after the aluminum alloy raw material is transferred to the second heating device, save energy, and improve production efficiency.

[0067] The second time period refers to the time for transferring the aluminum alloy raw material from the first heating device to the second heating device of the processing table for heating and heat preservation. Figure 2 As shown, the second time period may be a time period from time point c to time point f. Time point c may be the time point when the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out of the first heating device, and time point f may be the time point when the heat preservation in the second heating device of the processing table is stopped (such as when the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out of the second heating device).

[0068] In some embodiments, the second time period is 0s to 30s, which can ensure that the aluminum alloy raw material is heated and kept warm to the second temperature.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present specification, setting the second time period to the above range can improve production efficiency and save energy while ensuring the heating effect.

[0070] In some embodiments, the second time period includes a second heating time and a second keeping time.

[0071] The second heating time refers to the heating time of the aluminum alloy raw material in the second heating device. For example, the second heating time can be Figure 2 The time between time point d and time point e shown in .

[0072] The second holding time refers to the holding time of the aluminum alloy raw material in the second heating device. For example, the second holding time can be Figure 2 The time between time point e and time point f shown in .

[0073] In some embodiments, if the second heating time is too short, the expected heating effect may not be achieved, affecting the subsequent stamping process. In other embodiments, if the second heating time is too long, the second heat preservation time is short, the temperature distribution of the aluminum alloy raw material may be uneven, which will also affect the subsequent stamping process.

[0074] In some embodiments, the ratio of the second heating time to the second keeping warm time in the second time period can be preset based on expert experience.

[0075] In some embodiments, the ratio of the second heating time to the second keeping time can also be determined according to a time ratio model.

[0076] The time proportion model is a machine learning model that determines the proportion of the second heating time and the second insulation time. For example, the time proportion model can be a neural network model, a deep neural network model, etc.

[0077] In some embodiments, the input of the time proportion model includes the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the grade of the aluminum alloy raw material, the second time period, the first temperature, the second temperature, etc., and the output includes the proportion relationship between the second heating time and the second insulation time.

[0078] In some embodiments, the time proportion model can be obtained based on the first training set. The first training set includes a first training sample and a first label, the first training sample includes the sample aluminum alloy raw material thickness, the sample aluminum alloy raw material brand, the sample first time period, the sample first temperature, and the sample second temperature of the historical aluminum alloy processing process, and the first label is the proportion relationship between the sample second heating time and the sample second insulation time of the historical aluminum alloy processing process. Among them, the first training sample and the first label can be obtained based on the data collection and annotation of the historical aluminum alloy processing process.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present specification, a time proportion model is used to more intelligently and accurately determine the proportion of heating time and holding time in the secondary heating process, so that the aluminum alloy raw material can obtain a better heat treatment effect and further improve the quality of the subsequently obtained aluminum alloy parts.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting the ratio of the second heating time and the second insulation time, the temperature distribution in the aluminum alloy raw material can be made more uniform while achieving the expected heating effect, thereby improving the effects of subsequent stamping and other processes.

[0081] In some embodiments, during the second time period, the temperature of the aluminum alloy feedstock changes from a first temperature to a second temperature.

[0082] The second temperature refers to the temperature at which the aluminum alloy raw material is heated and maintained during the secondary heating process. Figure 2 As shown, the second temperature may be T2.

[0083] In some embodiments, the second temperature is below the solution temperature of the aluminum alloy feedstock.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second temperature may be related to the grade of the aluminum alloy raw material, or may be related to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For example, different grades of aluminum alloy raw materials have different solid solution temperatures, and for aluminum alloy raw materials with higher solid solution temperatures, the second temperature may be higher; for another example, the thicker the aluminum alloy raw material, the higher the second temperature may be.

[0085] In some embodiments, the second temperature is 0°C to 50°C lower than the solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material.

[0086] In some embodiments, the second temperature is greater than 420°C.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting the second temperature higher than 420°C, the heating effect on the raw material can be ensured, and the forming effect and forming quality of the subsequent processing steps can be improved; at the same time, the first temperature and the second temperature are set lower than the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material to avoid the problem of more pores in the sheet caused by the melting of the strengthening phase of the aluminum alloy raw material due to excessively high temperature (such as reaching or even exceeding the solid solution temperature), avoid the occurrence of cracks in subsequent processing steps such as stamping, and improve the elongation of the material.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

[0089] The higher the first temperature is, the shorter the heating time to reach the second temperature during secondary heating can be; however, the heating efficiency of the heating device is related to the temperature of the raw material. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of temperature change of a heating device according to some embodiments of this specification.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, when the temperature of the raw material rises to a certain temperature (such as 400°C), the heating efficiency of the heating equipment becomes significantly lower. If the first temperature is set too high, not only will the first time period be too long, reducing the heating efficiency, but more heat will be lost during the transfer process, causing energy waste. If the first temperature is set too low, the heating time of the second time period will be increased, reducing production efficiency, and at the same time, higher requirements will be placed on the process during the secondary heating.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first temperature may be determined based on a temperature determination model.

[0092] The temperature determination model is a machine learning model. For example, the temperature determination model may be a neural network model, a deep neural network model, etc.

[0093] In some embodiments, the input of the temperature determination model includes the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the grade of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period, and the second temperature, and the output includes the first temperature.

[0094] In some embodiments, the temperature determination model can be obtained based on a second training set. The second training set includes a second training sample and a second label, the second training sample includes a sample aluminum alloy raw material thickness, a sample aluminum alloy raw material grade, a sample first time period, and a sample second temperature of a historical aluminum alloy processing process, and the second label is a sample first temperature of a historical aluminum alloy processing process. The second training sample and the second label can be obtained based on data collection and annotation of the historical aluminum alloy processing process.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present specification, through a machine learning model, a suitable first temperature can be determined based on more and richer production data, thereby improving the accuracy of the obtained first temperature, saving energy, and optimizing the production process to make it more intelligent and efficient.

[0096] In some embodiments, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from a first temperature to a second temperature in the second time period, including: reducing the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material from the first temperature to a third temperature during the transfer process; heating and keeping the aluminum alloy raw material warm so that the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material increases from the third temperature to the second temperature.

[0097] The third temperature refers to the lowest temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material during the transfer process.

[0098] Combine the following Figure 2 The transfer process of aluminum alloy raw materials and the temperature change process are explained. Figure 2 As shown, at time point c, the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out from the first heating device, the heat of the aluminum alloy raw material is lost, and the temperature is reduced; at time point d, the aluminum alloy raw material is placed on the centering table, at which time the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material is reduced to the third temperature, and at time point d, the aluminum alloy raw material is heated for the second time by the second heating device while being centered to time point e; at time point e, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material reaches the second temperature, and the aluminum alloy raw material is kept warm to time point f; at time point f, the insulation of the aluminum alloy raw material is stopped, and the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out for subsequent processing (for example, transferred to a stamping die for stamping, etc.).

[0099] In some embodiments, during the transfer process, the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to the second temperature, further comprising: the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material increases from the first temperature to the second temperature. That is, the aluminum alloy raw material does not cool down (or the cooling amplitude can be ignored), and directly increases from the first temperature to the second temperature.

[0100] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the temperature change of aluminum alloy raw materials during aluminum alloy processing according to other embodiments of this specification. Figure 4 As shown, after the aluminum alloy raw material is taken out from the first device at time point c, its temperature is not reduced or the reduction is negligible through a preset method, and then it is placed in a second heating device and heated to a second temperature.

[0101] Exemplarily, the preset method includes one or more of the following: transferring the aluminum alloy raw material through a heatable device, taking heat preservation measures during the transfer process (such as wrapping the raw material with insulation material), etc.

[0102] In some embodiments of the present specification, secondary heating and insulation are performed before the aluminum alloy raw material enters the stamping die, which can ensure that the temperature of the raw material when entering the stamping die meets the processing requirements, obtain better stamping effects, and improve the quality of the subsequently obtained aluminum alloy parts; in addition, before the secondary heating, the raw material is first heated to the first temperature, which can reduce the process requirements for the secondary heating, making the operation simpler and easier to implement, while reducing the heating time of the secondary heating, improving production efficiency, and saving energy.

[0103] Step 130 , performing subsequent processing on the transferred aluminum alloy raw material to obtain aluminum alloy parts.

[0104] Subsequent processing refers to other processing techniques required for forming after heating, such as stamping, cooling, polishing, etc.

[0105] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the subsequent processing may include the following two steps:

[0106] Step 131, transferring the secondary heated aluminum alloy raw material to a mold, performing stamping forming and pressure-holding cooling to obtain a drawn part;

[0107] Step 132, heating the drawn part to obtain an aluminum alloy part.

[0108] In some embodiments, the temperature at which stamping is started is 80%-88% of the heating temperature. By limiting the temperature at which stamping is started within this range, it is possible to avoid the impact of low temperature during stamping on the quality of the finished product; it is also possible to avoid the excessively coarse grains in the aluminum alloy raw material caused by excessively high temperature, which reduces the elongation of the material at high temperature and reduces the forming quality. In some embodiments, the temperature at which stamping is started is 82%-87% of the heating temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature at which stamping is started is 84%-86% of the heating temperature.

[0109] Stamping refers to a processing method that uses stamping equipment and dies to apply external force to the raw material to cause plastic deformation or separation, thereby obtaining a workpiece of the desired shape and size. Stamping equipment can include presses, etc.

[0110] In some embodiments, the stamping speed of the stamping equipment in stamping forming is not less than 80 mm / s. It is understandable that a stamping speed that is too low may cause the raw material to have too little strain in the mold, poor plastic deformation, and prone to cracking. In some embodiments of this specification, by setting the stamping speed to be not less than 80 mm / s, the stamping effect can be ensured and cracking can be avoided.

[0111] In some embodiments, the punching speed may be 80 mm / s-500 mm / s; the punching speed may be 80 mm / s-450 mm / s; the punching speed may be 100 mm / s-400 mm / s; the punching speed may be 120 mm / s-350 mm / s. Preferably, the punching speed may be 120 mm / s-330 mm / s.

[0112] It is understandable that when the target shape of stamping is relatively simple (for example, the part is a large flat plate, etc.), a low stamping speed should be maintained. Too high a stamping speed may cause wrinkles on the surface of the part. When the target shape of stamping is relatively complex (for example, the part is an irregular shape with many openings and grooves, etc.), too low a stamping speed may cause the raw material to have too little strain in the mold, affecting the plastic deformation and easy cracking. Too high a stamping speed may cause the part to break. Therefore, the stamping speed of the stamping equipment during stamping should be kept within an appropriate range.

[0113] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting the preferred range of the stamping speed to 120mm / s-330mm / s, it is possible to further obtain better processing effects on the basis of the aforementioned larger range of stamping speeds, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the stamping process and the yield of the formed parts obtained, and avoiding the occurrence of the aforementioned undesirable phenomena.

[0114] In some embodiments, the stamping speed can be determined based on the target shape of the stamping. The target shape may refer to the shape of the part you want to obtain after stamping. In some embodiments, the stamping speed can be determined based on the ratio of the drawn part area to the stamping area. The drawn part area refers to the surface area of ​​the drawn part obtained after stamping. The stamping area may refer to the area of ​​the projection of the target shape of the stamping parallel to the surface of the drawn part. In some embodiments, when the ratio of the drawn part area to the stamping area is greater than 1.2, the stamping speed may be 120mm / s-330mm / s. In some embodiments, when the ratio of the drawn part area to the stamping area is less than or equal to 1.2, the stamping speed may be 80mm / s-180mm / s.

[0115] In some embodiments, the punching speed can be determined by looking up a table based on the target shape. The table records different shapes and their corresponding punching speeds, and the parameters in the table are set based on experience.

[0116] Pressure-holding cooling refers to the process of maintaining a certain pressure value in the mold during the cooling process after the part is formed to prevent the part from deforming due to cooling shrinkage.

[0117] In some embodiments, the pressure of the pressure-maintaining cooling may be 0.8 MPa-2 MPa. Preferably, the pressure of the pressure-maintaining cooling may be 1 MPa.

[0118] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting the pressure of the pressure-holding cooling to 0.8 MPa-2 MPa, the pressure-holding process can be carried out smoothly, avoiding shrinkage or cracking of the workpiece caused by improper pressure.

[0119] In some embodiments, the cooling rate of the pressure-maintaining cooling does not exceed 60° C. / second.

[0120] In some embodiments, cooling can be performed by a cooling medium. A cooling medium can refer to a substance used for cooling. For example, a cooling medium can include liquids such as water and ethanol. In some embodiments, the cooling medium can be a room temperature liquid.

[0121] It is understandable that when the temperature of the cooling medium is too low, the cooling speed is fast, which can easily cause a large temperature difference on the surface of the formed part, resulting in cracking of the formed part due to uneven hot and cold; when the temperature of the cooling medium is too high, the surface viscosity of the aluminum alloy is relatively high, which can easily adhere to the mold inserts and cause wear, and it is also not easy to make the surface of the formed part smooth and flat. In some embodiments of this specification, by setting the cooling speed not to exceed 60°C / second, the surface viscosity of the aluminum alloy can be moderate and the temperature difference can be small, ensuring a good forming effect.

[0122] In some embodiments, the pressure-maintaining cooling may include: cooling the formed part after stamping to below 200° C. and performing natural air cooling. The formed part refers to a workpiece having a formed shape after the raw material is stamped.

[0123] It is understandable that if natural air cooling is used initially, it may lead to too fast cooling speed, too large temperature difference on the surface of the formed part and cracking. In some embodiments of this specification, by cooling the formed part to below 200°C after stamping and then cooling it with natural air, the temperature drop during the entire cooling process can be more uniform, ensuring that the mechanical properties of the drawn part are not affected.

[0124] A drawn part refers to a workpiece that is obtained by stamping, pressure holding and cooling and can be stretched.

[0125] In some embodiments, the forming device can heat and keep the obtained drawn part warm to obtain an aluminum alloy part. In some embodiments, the heating temperature for heating the drawn part can be 150-220° C., and the keeping time for keeping the drawn part warm can be 0.2h-10h.

[0126] In some embodiments, before heating the aluminum alloy raw material, the forming equipment may pre-treat the aluminum alloy raw material; the pre-treatment may include spraying a lubricant on the surface of the aluminum alloy raw material so that the friction coefficient between the mold and the aluminum alloy raw material is no higher than 0.2.

[0127] In some embodiments of the present specification, by spraying lubricant on the surface of the aluminum alloy raw material so that the friction coefficient between the mold and the aluminum alloy raw material is no higher than 0.2, the friction between the surface of the aluminum alloy raw material and the mold can be reduced to avoid adverse effects on forming.

[0128] In some embodiments, at a temperature of 20° C., the dynamic viscosity of the lubricant may be no more than 50 mPa·s, and the density of the lubricant may be 0.97 g / cm 3 -0.99g / cm 3 , the pH value of the lubricant can be 9-10.

[0129] In some embodiments of the present specification, by setting specific parameters of the lubricant, a liquid lubricant with a low viscosity coefficient and easy to clean can be selected to obtain a better lubrication effect.

[0130] It should be noted that the above description of the process 100 is only for example and illustration, and does not limit the scope of application of this specification. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes can be made to the process 100 under the guidance of this specification. However, these modifications and changes are still within the scope of this specification.

[0131] One or more embodiments of the present specification also provide an aluminum alloy part, which is prepared by the aluminum alloy processing method described in any one of the above embodiments. The aluminum alloy part prepared by the aluminum alloy processing method described in the above embodiments can take into account both the mechanical properties and ductility of the part.

[0132] One or more embodiments of the present specification also provide a car, which includes the aforementioned aluminum alloy parts. By using the aforementioned aluminum alloy parts in the car, the strength of the car can be ensured, and the car can be better protected against external forces such as wind pressure and impact.

[0133] In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy parts may be located at one or more of the four door inner panels, four door outer panels, side panels, and structural reinforcements of the vehicle body. For example, the aluminum alloy parts may be applied to the left front door outer panel, the right rear door inner panel, the side panel outer panel, and the chassis reinforcement of the vehicle body. By using the aforementioned aluminum alloy parts at one or more of the four door inner panels, four door outer panels, side panels, and structural reinforcements of the vehicle body, the strength of the vehicle body can be ensured, and the vehicle body is not easily deformed, and is strong and durable.

[0134] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the above detailed disclosure is only for example and does not constitute a limitation of this specification. Although not explicitly stated here, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements and corrections to this specification. Such modifications, improvements and corrections are suggested in this specification, so such modifications, improvements and corrections still belong to the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this specification.

[0135] "An embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of this specification may be appropriately combined.

[0136] Similarly, it should be noted that in order to simplify the description disclosed in this specification and thus help understand one or more embodiments of the invention, in the above description of the embodiments of this specification, multiple features are sometimes combined into one embodiment, figure or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not mean that the features required by the subject matter of this specification are more than the features mentioned in the claims. In fact, the features of the embodiments are less than all the features of the single embodiment disclosed above.

[0137] In some embodiments, numbers describing the quantity of components and attributes are used. It should be understood that such numbers used in the description of the embodiments are modified by the modifiers "about", "approximately" or "substantially" in some examples. Unless otherwise specified, "about", "approximately" or "substantially" indicates that the numbers allow a variation of ±20%.

[0138] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification are only used to illustrate the principles of the embodiments of this specification. Other variations may also fall within the scope of this specification. Therefore, as an example and not a limitation, alternative configurations of the embodiments of this specification may be considered consistent with the teachings of this specification. Accordingly, the embodiments of this specification are not limited to the embodiments explicitly introduced and described in this specification.

Claims

1. A method for processing aluminum alloy, characterized in that: The method comprises: heating the aluminum alloy raw material to a first temperature and keeping the temperature within a first time period; Transferring the aluminum alloy raw material to a processing table, and performing secondary heating and heat preservation in a second time period during the transfer process; wherein the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to a second temperature during the transfer process; and the first temperature and the second temperature are both lower than the solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material; The transferred aluminum alloy raw material is subsequently processed to obtain aluminum alloy parts.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to the second temperature during the transfer process, comprising: The temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material is reduced from the first temperature to a third temperature; The aluminum alloy raw material is subjected to the secondary heating and kept warm during the second time period, so that the temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material increases from the third temperature to the second temperature.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material changes from the first temperature to the second temperature during the transfer process, comprising: The temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material is increased from the first temperature to a second temperature.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The second time period is 0s to 30s.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The second temperature is 0° C. to 50° C. lower than the solid solution temperature of the aluminum alloy raw material.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The second temperature is higher than 420°C.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first time period is 1 minute to 3 minutes.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first time period and the second time period increase with the increase of the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material. For every 1 mm increase in the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, the first time period increases by 30s to 90s.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, and the first heating time in the first time period is related to the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The correlation between the first heating time and the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material is as follows: T=(60d+60)±60s Wherein, T is the first heating time, in seconds; d is the thickness of the aluminum alloy raw material, in millimeters.

12. An aluminum alloy part, characterized in that: The aluminum alloy part is prepared by the aluminum alloy processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A car, characterized in that: The automobile comprises the aluminum alloy part according to claim 12; and the aluminum alloy part is located at one or more of the four door inner panels, four door outer panels, side panels, and structural reinforcements of the automobile body.

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