Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the effect of fluidized bed quenching on the mechanical performance and quality index of B319.2 aluminium cast alloys. Traditional water and conventional hot air quenching media were used to establish a relevant comparison with fluidized sand bed quenching. The use of a fluidized sand bed for the direct quenching-aging treatment of B319.2 casting alloys yields greater Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Yield Strength (YS) values compared to conventional furnace quenched alloys. The strength values of T6 tempered B319 type alloys are greater when quenched in water compared to those quenched in a fluidized bed (FB) or a conventional forced air furnace (CF). For the same aging conditions (170C [338F]/4h), the fluidized bed quenched-aged B319 alloys show better strength values than those quenched in water and then aged in a CF or a FB. Based on the quality charts developed for alloys subjected to different quenching media, higher quality index values are obtained by conventional furnace quenched-aged T6-tempered B319 alloys. The regression models indicate that the mean quality values of B319 alloys are quench sensitive.