Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

How to finish with 6463-T55

Dear sir, we got an order with 6463-T55, I did not found the heat-treatment in my reference materials. I searched in Internet and found it is something about marine ,especially for marine anodize. So I want to know whether T55 is just for anodize or heat-treatment. If it is about heat-treatment,then how to operate?

Richard Ku
- Taicang City, Jiangsu Province, China
2006

---

2006

The temper designations for aluminum do not include anodizing or other finishes.

The basic T5 temper indicates material formed at elevated temperature (e.g., extruded or hot forged), rapidly cooled and then artificially aged. The T51, T52 and T54 tempers include mechanical deformation to relieve quenching stresses prior to aging. A third digit may be added for extrusions: 0 if not straightened, 1 if straightened. These treatments are performed by the mill or extruder, not by the fabricator or end user. I am unaware of a standard T55 temper for any wrought Al alloy. Check your specifications. For more information on temper designations, see ANSI H35.1 or ISO 2107.

Al 6463 is commonly bright-dipped prior to anodizing. Finishing by polishing + bright-dipping + anodizing should give very good corrosion resistance, although "marine anodize" is a sales pitch rather than a legal standard.
Don't believe everything you read on the Internet!

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.