Abstract: Described herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Abstract: Described are methods of making an aluminum alloy product. The method includes heating a rolled aluminum alloy product to a first temperature of from 400° C. to 525° C. The rolled aluminum alloy product may include a 7xxx series aluminum alloy. The method also includes maintaining the rolled aluminum alloy product at the first temperature or within 10° C. of the first temperature for a time duration of from 15 seconds to 30 minutes. The method also includes quenching the rolled aluminum alloy product at a quench rate from 0.5° C./s to 125° C./s thereby generating a heat-treated aluminum alloy product. The heat-treated aluminum alloy product exhibits a strain ratio of from 0.3 to 0.8. The strain ratio is determined according to an ASTM G129 and/or ASTM G139 standard test method.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Abstract: Described herein are anodized continuous coils containing a thin anodized film layer and methods for making and using the same. The anodized continuous coils include an aluminum alloy continuous coil, wherein a surface of the aluminum alloy continuous coil comprises a thin anodized film layer. The anodized continuous coils maintain the anodized film layer during deforming processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of hot forming a metal blank include receiving the metal blank at a heater and positioning the blank adjacent a magnetic rotor of the heater. The systems and methods also include heating the metal blank through the magnetic rotor by rotating the magnetic rotor. Rotating the magnetic rotor induces a magnetic field into the metal blank such that the metal blank is heated.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides aluminum alloy articles having improved bond durability at certain surfaces of the article. The disclosure also provides methods of making such materials, for example, via a selective etching process, as well as methods of using such articles in applications that involve bonding the article to other articles, such as other aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture made from such articles, including bonded aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides aluminum alloy articles having an inert or neutralized surface. The inert or neutralized surfaces described herein are characterized by surfaces containing oxidized copper. Also described herein are methods including etching a surface of the aluminum alloy articles with an oxidant. The resulting aluminum alloy articles exhibit desirable bond durability properties and exceptional corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides aluminum alloy products having selectively recrystallized microstructure at one or more surfaces of the product. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture made from such products, and methods of making such products, such as through casting and rolling. The disclosure also provides various end uses of such products, such as in automotive, transportation, electronics, and industrial applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of processing 7xxx aluminum alloys using a rapid pre-aging step, along with alloys prepared according to the methods. The aluminum alloy products described herein have high strength when subjected to a rapid pre-aging step, as described above, and subsequent thermal treatment, such as paint baking or coating. The alloys prepared and processed according to the methods described herein can be used, for example, in automotive, transportation, electronics, and industrial applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods of hot forming a metal blank include receiving the metal blank at a heater and positioning the blank adjacent a magnetic rotor of the heater. The systems and methods also include heating the metal blank through the magnetic rotor by rotating the magnetic rotor. Rotating the magnetic rotor induces a magnetic field into the metal blank such that the metal blank is heated.