Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving aluminium alloy blank tensile yield stress and formability comprising the successive steps of: providing a 6xxx series aluminium alloy slab; optionally homogenizing the slab; hot rolling and optionally cold rolling the slab to obtain a sheet; solution heat treating and quenching the sheet; cold rolling the sheet with at least 20% cold work reduction; cutting the sheet into blanks; flash annealing a portion of the flange of the blanks at a temperature between 360° C. and 480° C. for a time sufficient to obtain recrystallization of the portion of the flange and cool to a temperature of less than 100° C. The improved blanks and the stamped product and painted stamped products obtained by the method of the invention are particularly useful for automotive applications because of their high strength.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving aluminium alloy blank tensile yield stress and formability comprising the successive steps of: providing a 6xxx series aluminium alloy slab; optionally homogenizing said slab; hot rolling and optionally cold rolling the slab to obtain a sheet; solution heat treating and quenching said sheet; cold rolling said sheet with at least 20% cold work reduction; cutting said sheet into blanks; flash annealing a portion of the flange of said blanks at a temperature between 360° C. and 480° C. for a time sufficient to obtain recrystallization of said portion of the flange and cool to a temperature of less than 100° C. The improved blanks and the stamped product and painted stamped products obtained by the method of the invention are particularly useful for automotive applications because of their high strength.

Abstract: An armor component produced from a 7xxx series aluminum alloy, wherein the aluminum alloy consists essentially of: 8.4 wt. %?Zn?10.5 wt. %; 1.3 wt. %?Mg?2 wt. %; 1.2 wt. %?Cu?2 wt. %; at least one dispersoid forming element with a total dispersoid forming element content higher than 0.05 wt. %; the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: The present application relates to armor components made of high strength aluminum, such as 7xxx series aluminum alloys, which may be employed in civil or military ballistic protection systems. It relates more particularly to armor components such as armor hull walls and add-on armor appliques in vehicles.

Abstract: An armor component produced from a 7xxx series aluminum alloy, wherein the aluminum alloy consists essentially of: 8.4 wt. %?Zn?10.5 wt. %; 1.3 wt. %?Mg?2 wt. %; 1.2 wt. %?Cu?2 wt. %; at least one dispersoid forming element with a total dispersoid forming element content higher than 0.05 wt. %; the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities.