Residual stress analysis on AA6061+22% Al2O3p simple shape demonstrators of a wheel hub

The effects of thermal treatments in a component for automotive industry are considered: the induced residual stresses in wheel hubs were investigated. Measurements have been carried out on two identical simple shape demonstrators made of AA6061+22% Al2O3p in order to evaluate the stress conditions after forging and T6 treatment and without taking into account the final design of the wheel hub. One sample was analysed in as-forged conditions while the second after forging and T6 treatment (560 deg. C for 2 h, 20 deg. C water quenching, artificial aging at 177 deg. C for 10 h). Particular attention was given to the stresses in the radial and hoop directions, as the main consequences of the in-service fatigue are expected to be related to stresses along these two directions