The Effect of Retrogression Heat Treatments on Aluminum Flanging and Trimming

Retrogression heat treatments were developed to improve the formability and mechanical behavior of age-hardenable aluminum wrought products in both the aerospace and automobile industries. The heat treatments can provide an improvement in the flanging and trimming behavior of age-hardenable aluminum sheet alloys. The present paper reviews the effect of retrogression heat treatments on flanging by demonstrating reduced springback and increased flange length; on trimming by showing the elimination of metal slivers; and on shape fixability through a three point deflection test. This work should aid in the development of improved aluminum alloys and modified forming processes to enable the increased use of aluminum sheet products.