Abstract
New challenges for the Aluminium alloys used for the production of castings for automotive engine components result from an evolutionary trend of internal combustion engines towards higher specific power output. Cylinder heads, in particular, have to withstand higher operating temperature and stress levels. Present work describes quality control of microstructure (Si-morphologhy and Si-size) and mechanical properties (UTS, elongation, Brinell hardness) of cylinder head casting as effect of different T6 heat treatment (solution heat treatment time - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 hours). The data obtained from this study will be used to improve process control, and to help the selection of heat treatment of the casting for future products.