Method for hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment of light alloy castings

A method of producing light alloy castings by foundry technology in which, after solidification and shake-out, the casting is subjected to a heat-treatment cycle comprising a solution heat-treatment step at a temperature high enough to put into solution the phases precipitated in the course of the solidification of the casting, followed by a quenching step and an ageing step, wherein the solution heat-treatment step is performed at least partially in hot isostatic pressing conditions and wherein the solution heat-treatment step is carried out with the casting kept at the solution temperature, at substantially atmospheric pressure, for a time long enough to bring about only partial solution of the precipitated phases, after which, the casting is kept at a temperature at least equal to the solution temperature and is subjected to isostatic pressing until the solution of the precipitated phases is complete.