ASTM B917/B917M-25 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM B917/B917M-25 — Standard Practice for Heat Treatment of Aluminum-Alloy Castings From All Processes. This practice provides recommended procedures, controls, and precautions for solution heat treatment, quenching, and precipitation (age) treatments applied to aluminum-alloy castings produced by any casting process. It also describes acceptable furnace types, quench media, and requirements for temperature measurement and furnace calibration.

Abstract

This practice covers the requirements for heat treatment of aluminum-alloy castings from all casting processes (investment, permanent mold, sand, centrifugal, squeeze, rheocast/thixocast, etc.), unless otherwise specified by a material or purchase specification. It excludes heat treatment governed by specific aerospace AMS documents and the heat treatment of wrought aluminum alloys (covered by Practice B918/B918M). The standard sets out typical times and temperatures, furnace and quench recommendations, and guidance on atmosphere control and calibration to minimize porosity and achieve desired mechanical properties.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: 01 October 2025.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 25.200 (Heat treatment); 77.150.10 (Aluminium products).
• Edition / version: B917/B917M-25 (DOI: 10.1520/B0917_B0917M-25).
• Number of pages: 12.

Scope

This practice applies, when specified by material specification or purchase order, to the heat treatment of aluminum-alloy castings from all casting processes. It provides guidance on solution and precipitation heat treatments, recommended soaking times and temperatures, quench methods (typically hot-water immersion), furnace types and calibration, atmosphere control to reduce porosity, and measurement/checking of temperature-measurement systems. It explicitly excludes castings covered by aerospace-specific AMS documents and the heat treatment of wrought alloys (the latter covered by Practice B918/B918M).

Key topics and requirements

• Recommended solution heat-treatment temperature ranges and soaking times for cast aluminum alloys.
• Precipitation (aging) heat-treatment schedules and typical temper outcomes.
• Quench media guidance (hot-water quench, control of agitation/temperature) and effects on porosity and mechanical properties.
• Furnace types (air-chamber, lead/oil baths, fluidized beds, steam) and requirements for atmosphere control to prevent oxidation/porosity.
• Furnace calibration, temperature uniformity requirements, and routine checks of temperature-measurement systems and instrumentation.
• Guidance on racking, spacing, and cleanliness for castings during heat treatment to ensure uniform results.
• Use of SI or inch–pound units as separate, non-interchangeable systems (values in one system are not necessarily exact equivalents of the other).
• Exclusions and cross-references to aerospace AMS specifications and the separate Practice for wrought alloys (B918/B918M).

These topics and procedural requirements are summarized from the practice as published by ASTM.

Typical use and users

Foundries, heat-treat service providers, metallurgical and process engineers, quality managers, procurement/specification writers, and inspection agencies use this practice to specify and verify heat-treatment procedures for cast aluminum components intended for general industrial applications. The practice is also used as a reference when purchase orders or material specifications call for consistent, documented heat-treatment processing of castings.

Related standards

Practice B918/B918M — Standard Practice for Heat Treatment of Wrought Aluminum Alloys (covers wrought products). The practice notes aerospace AMS documents (such as AMS 2771/2772) for specific aerospace casting or wrought-material heat-treatment requirements. Other ASTM practices and test methods referenced within the document apply to temperature measurement, metallurgical testing, and product specification controls.

Keywords

aluminum alloy castings, heat treatment, solution heat treatment, precipitation aging, quenching, furnace calibration, hot-water quench, atmosphere control, casting processes, sand casting, investment casting, permanent mold, rheocast, thixocast.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B917/B917M-25 is a practice that gives recommended procedures and controls for the heat treatment of aluminum-alloy castings produced by any casting process.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers solution and precipitation heat treatments, quenching recommendations, furnace and atmosphere-control guidance, temperature-measurement and calibration practices, and general precautions to minimize porosity and achieve desired properties. It does not replace aerospace-specific AMS requirements or the separate practice for wrought alloys.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Foundries, heat-treaters, metallurgical engineers, quality/inspection personnel, and specifiers who need standardized guidance for heat treating aluminum-alloy castings for general industrial applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation B917/B917M-25 indicates the 2025 edition and the practice is listed as active (publication date 01 October 2025). Users should confirm current status with ASTM as part of procurement or specification processes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it sits within ASTM Committee B07 (Light Metals and Alloys) practices on heat treatment and is cross-referenced with related practices such as B918/B918M (wrought alloys) and various AMS specifications for aerospace heat-treatment requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Heat treatment, aluminum alloy castings, solution treatment, quench, age (precipitation hardening), furnace calibration, atmosphere control, sand casting, permanent mold, investment casting.