How to Soften Aluminum Plate

The process of softening metal is referred to as annealing. When you anneal aluminum you are releasing the tension between the metal's molecules and making the metal softer and easier to work. To do this you need to apply heat evenly to the entire surface of the aluminum and allow it to cool naturally. The temperature at which most grades of aluminum anneal is around 700 degrees Fahrenheit. During the annealing process the aluminum will warp slightly but the warping will be removed when you fabricate the aluminum plate.

Instructions

1

Lay the aluminum plate flat on the non-combustible worktable.

2

Put on your leather work gloves, turn on the acetylene side of the torch and ignite the torch with the striker. Do not turn on the oxygen, as you need an acetylene-rich flame for the next step.

3

Hold the tip of the acetylene torch six inches from the surface of the aluminum plate and run the flame evenly over the plate to deposit a thin layer of carbon on its surface.

4

Turn on the oxygen of the oxyacetylene torch and adjust the valve until the torch produces a neutral flame. A neutral flame emits no carbon soot and has an even blue exterior flame and a short bright blue interior flame.

5

Swing the neutral flame evenly over the entire surface of the aluminum plate until the carbon that you deposited on the surface of the aluminum plate is removed. Do not hold the flame still on the surface of the aluminum plate, as this could melt the plate.

6

Allow the annealed aluminum plate to cool to at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit before quenching with cool water. Even better, allow it to cool naturally for 15 to 20 minutes before handling.