Brian Trubee wrote:
     > > > This is a bit off topic, but I was wondering how aluminum is
     > > > tempered or conditioned. I've got a bunch of .063 2024 T0, but
     > > > I need some 2024 T3. Is there some  practical way at home that
     > > > I can treat the 2024 to bring it to a T3 condition? Anyone?
     > >
     > > Brian,
     > > If the 2024-T0 has sat around for a while, it most likely is no longer
     > > T0.
     > >
     > > This website indicates that 2024-T0 will naturally age and harden to T3
     > > over the course of *4* days (wow!).  You might want to do a more
     > > thorough research than I did, however.
     > >
     > > http://www.key-to-metals.com/PrintArticle.asp?ID=39
     > >
     > > Russell Kent

     > I noted your post, and had run into some web info regarding aluminum treatment.  When I went back, I found this note from Kirk at Raytheon and send it to you without additional knowledge
     or
     > claims for improvement using T8 instead of T3.
     > Larry Hendrix
     >
     > Well, I don't have the answer to your problem. But I do have aquestion for you. Why are you using 2024-T351? For aerospace usage,2024-T3XX, -T4XX and -T6XX are usually a forbidden
     tempers due
     > tostress corrosion crack susceptibility. Consider using the 2024-T8XXor another alloy if possible.
     >
     > Kirk Mueller
     > Raytheon Systems Co. - El Segundo, CA USA

I'm just going by what Van's Aircraft called out for the wheel pants brackets. 2024 T-3 is used for skinning the entire airplane.  As far as conditioning the aluminum goes, I am heat soaking the
parts in my oven at 350 degrees F(190 C) for 5 hours and then will quench them in ice water. After that, they should age for 3-4 days.  At least that is what I gleaned from the article posted
above.

 I put a few extra pieces in the oven that I will use to test after the process is complete. I'm not sure what Kirk Mueller is referring to above when he calls out a 2024-T351. From what I
understand the number following the T designation is the temper of the alloy, and should be a single digit , ranging from 0-6. I am no expert, so any information that anyone could post (maybe
privately to bktrub@aol.com ) would be useful.

Paul, Sorry about this off-topic post, but someone might find it useful. Anything I find out I'll pass on.

Brian Trubee

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