Aluminum Base Patents (Class 148/437)
  • Publication number: 20020043309
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminum casting alloy and to cast products made thereof consisting of, in weight percent: Mg 1.0 - 2.6, Si 0.5 - 2.0, Mn 0.9 - 1.4, Fe<0.50, Cu<1.0, Zn<0.30, Ti<0.20, Be<0.003, balance aluminum and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Martinus Godefridus Johannes Spanjers, Timothy John Hurd
  • Patent number: 6372063
    Abstract: The process for manufacturing a metallic component, such as a wheel part for the rolling system of a vehicle, which includes, in an initial stage, forming the component of a metallic material in a semi-solid state and having a thixotropic structure, and in a subsequent cold-treatment stage, cold-treating at least part of said component by blasting it with projectiles with a view to plastic deformation thereof. A wheel in which a metallic disk is welded to a wheel rim and in which the metallic disk is obtained by the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique, S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Grillon
  • Publication number: 20020040746
    Abstract: There is provided an architectural Al alloy material which undergoes minor loss of proof stress even after a baking finish treatment at a high temperature of 260 to 280° C. and which can be subjected to acute-angle bending, as well as, a process for manufacturing the same. This architectural Al alloy material, which is a hot rolled JIS A3003 material, contains a fiber structure and a recrystallized grain structure having an area ratio of 20 % or less after a baking finish treatment at 300° C. or lower, and undergoes a proof stress loss of 10% or less after the baking finish treatment. The Al alloy material is manufactured only by hot rolling which is carried out under control such that the temperature at the end of rolling be in the range of 290 to 340° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Kiyohiro Kawai, Yoshiro Togami
  • Patent number: 6361833
    Abstract: A composition and process for treating metal surfaces that contain at a weight ratio from 1:5,000 to 5,000:1 of at least one metal acetylacetonate selected from the group consisting of Al(C5H7O2)3, V(C5H7O2)3, VO(C5H7O2)2, Zn(C5H7O2)2, and Zr(C5H7O2)4, and at least one compound selected from water-soluble inorganic titanium compounds and water-soluble inorganic zirconium compounds, provides a non-chromate-type composition for imparting an excellent corrosion resistance and paint adherence to the surface of metals, particularly aluminum and its alloys, magnesium and its alloys and zinc and its alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Nakada, Motoki Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20020014406
    Abstract: The first Al-based target material for sputtering contains 0.01-10 atomic % of at least one intermetallic compound-forming element, and an intermetallic compound having a maximum diameter of substantially 50 &mgr;m or less. The second Al-based target material for sputtering has a microstructure comprising an alloy phase containing 20 atomic % or less of the intermetallic compound-forming element and Al and an Al matrix phase comprising substantially pure Al, the maximum diameter of the intermetallic compound in the alloy phase being substantially 50 &mgr;m or less. The content of the intermetallic compound forming element based on the whole structure is 0.01-10 atomic %. These target materials are produced by pressure-sintering a rapid solidification powder at 400-600° C. After the pressure sintering, the target material is preferably hot-rolled at 400-600° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: HIROSHI TAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20020011289
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a rolled, forged or extruded aluminum alloy product more than 12 mm thick, heat treated by solutionizing, quenching and artificial aging, with a microstructure characterized by the following parameters:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: PECHINEY RHENALU
    Inventor: Timothy Warner
  • Patent number: 6337147
    Abstract: Improved shape and strength of the weld in a welded structure are obtained by use of a weldable aluminum product comprising a structural component which is a sheet, a plate or an extruded body and is made of an aluminum alloy containing not more than 1.5 wt % Zn. This component has, adhered on at least one side, a cladding layer made of an AA7xxx-series alloy having a corrosion potential lower than that of the alloy of the structural component. The alloy of the structural component is preferably an AA5xxx-series alloy containing Mg in the range 2 to 6 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Johann Peter Haszler, Klaus Alfons Mechsner
  • Publication number: 20020000270
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy fin material for brazing which is composed of an aluminum alloy comprising above 0.1 wt % to 3 wt % of Ni, above 1.5 wt % to 2.2 wt % of Fe, and 1.2 wt % or less of Si, and at least one selected from the group consisting of 4 wt % or less of Zn, 0.3 wt % or less of In, and 0.3 wt % or less of Sn, and further comprising, optionally, at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Cr, Zr, Ti, Cu, Mn, and Mg in given amounts, the balance being unavoidable impurities and aluminum, wherein a ratio of the grain length in the right angle direction/the grain length in the parallel direction is 1/30 or less, an electric conductivity is 50 to 55% IACS, and a tensile strength is 170 to 280 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Doko, Akira Kawahara, Sunao Fukuda, Yoshihiko Kamiya, Masaki Shimizu, Kenji Negura
  • Patent number: 6334916
    Abstract: The present invention provides an Al—Mg—Si based alloy sheet whose press-formability (particularly, deep-drawing formability, stretch-formability and bendability) is made higher than conventional Al—Mg—Si based alloy sheets of JIS 6000 series. For texture of the Al—Mg—Si based alloy sheet, orientation density of at least Cube orientation is controlled in accordance with a sort of press forming, so that press-formability improved to match with the press forming is provided. For example, to improve deep-drawing formability of an Al—Mg—Si based alloy sheet, the ratio of orientation density of Goss orientation to the orientation density of the Cube orientation (Goss/Cube) is set to 0.3 or less, and a grain size is set to 80 &mgr;m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kobe Steel Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsushi Matsumoto, Yasuaki Sugizaki, Masahiro Yanagawa, Yuichi Seki
  • Publication number: 20010050122
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy support body for a presensitized plate in which the uniformity of the grained surface due to electrochemical etching is further improved, and a method of producing the same. The aluminum alloy support body for the presensitized plate according to the present invention has a composition comprising 0.1 to 0.7% by weight of Fe; 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of Si; 0.005 to 1.0% by weight of one or more rare earth elements; and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities. In the present invention, the aluminum alloy support body may further contain 0.005 to 0.1% by weight of Ni and 0.005 to 0.3% by weight of one or more rare earth elements. One or more elements of Ce, La and Nd can be selected as the rare earth elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: KODAK POLYCHROME GRAPHICS LLC and MITSUBISHI ALUMINUM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Komine, Mitsuo Ishida, Keitarou Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20010047838
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming an aluminum-comprising physical vapor deposition target. An aluminum-comprising mass is deformed by equal channel angular extrusion. The mass is at least 99.99% aluminum and further comprises less than or equal to about 1,000 ppm of one or more dopant materials comprising elements selected from the group consisting of Ac, Ag, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, C, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, In, Ir, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Nb, Nd, Ni, O, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pm, Po, Pr, Pt, Pu, Ra, Rf, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. After the aluminum-comprising mass is deformed, the mass is shaped into at least a portion of a sputtering target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Segal, Jianxing Li, Frank Alford, Stephane Ferrasse
  • Patent number: 6322647
    Abstract: Methods of improving the corrosion resistance and hot working productivity of AA7000 series aluminum alloys include, in one mode, the steps of treating a stock material to form a globular microstructure, preferably by a thermal conversion treatment, and subsequently hot working the treated stock material, quenching it and aging it. The globular microstructure permits increasing the hot working rate to attain T6 properties using only a T5 temper practice and without adverse effect on the surface of the hot worked product as a result of the increased hot working rate. Consequently, an acceptable product is made at a significantly lower cost due to the increased hot working rates and fewer processing steps. The method also improves the corrosion resistance, particularly exfoliation corrosion resistance, of the product such that corrosion resistance generally attainable using only a T7 temper practice is achieved using only a T5 temper practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, Subhasish Sircar
  • Patent number: 6312534
    Abstract: A high strength cast aluminum-beryllium alloy including magnesium represented by the formula (25-60% Al)+(40-75% Be)+(0.1-1.25% Mg)+(0<X≦5%)+(0<Y≦4%)+(0<Z≦0.75%)=100, wherein: X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and copper; Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon and silver; and Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium, zirconium, boron, antimony, strontium, germanium, scandium and the rare earth elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Brush Wellman, Inc.
    Inventor: Fritz C. Grensing
  • Patent number: 6302973
    Abstract: Aluminium-magnesium-zinc-silicon alloy, preferably in the form of a plate or a sheet or an extrusion, having the following composition in weight percent: Mg 0.5-1.5; Zn 0.1-3.8; Si 0.05-1.5; Mn 0.2-0.8; Zr 0.05-0.25; Cr 0.3 max.; Cu<0.3; Fe 0.5 max.; Ag 0.4 max.; Ti 0.2 max.; balance Al and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH, Corus Aluminium Profiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Johann Peter Haszler, Desikan Sampath
  • Patent number: 6299665
    Abstract: An alloy feedstock for semi-solid metal injection molding. The alloy feedstock is an alloy material in particulate form and has a heterogeneous structure, a temperature range at 20% of the height of the peak of the main melting reaction greater than 40° C., and having a ratio of the height of the peak of the eutectic reaction to the height of the main melting reaction of less than 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thixomat, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. LeBeau, D. Matthew Walukas, Raymond F. Decker
  • Publication number: 20010018939
    Abstract: Hydrogen storage compositions which liberate hydrogen readily and which are readily regenerated from a dehydrogenated state formed by liberation of hydrogen are derived from an AlH3-based complex hydride incorporating a member selected from a metalloid such as B, C, Si, P and S, a metal such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn, Ga, In and Sn, a metal which forms a stable hydride such as Be, Mg, Ca, Ti, V, Y, Zr and La and a second AlH3-based complex hydride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Alicja Zaluska, Leszek Zaluski, John Olaf Strom-Olsen
  • Patent number: 6273970
    Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum alloy having a homogenous distribution of bismuth therein comprising at least 5 wt/wt % bismuth, wherein about 3.5 wt/wt % of the bismuth is distributed in the form of very small particles of up to 5 microns diameter and at least 2 wt/wt % of the bismuth is distributed in the form of spherical particles of about 10 to 40 microns in diameter and the very small particles and the spherical particles are homogenously distributed throughout the aluminum matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Elecmatec Electro-Magnetic Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dmitri Kopeliovich, Alexander Shapiro, Vladimir Shagal
  • Patent number: 6267829
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing an iron-containing hypoeutectic alloy free from primary platelet-shaped beta-phase of the Al5FeSi in the solidified structure by the steps (a) providing an iron-containing aluminum alloy having a composition within the following limits, in weight percent, 6-10% Si, 0.05-1.0% Mn, 0.4-2% Fe, at least one of 1) 0.01-0.8% Ti and/or Zr 2) 0.005-0.5% Sr and/or Na and/or Ba, 0-6.0% Cu, 0-2.0% Cr, 0-2.0% Mg, 0-6.0% Zn, 0-0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Opticast AB
    Inventors: Lennart Bäckerud, Lars Arnberg, Guocai Chai
  • Patent number: 6261386
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for obtaining nanocrystal dispersed amorphous alloys are described. A composition includes an amorphous matrix forming element (e.g., Al or Fe); at least one transition metal element; and at least one crystallizing agent that is insoluble in the resulting amorphous matrix. During devitrification, the crystallizing agent causes the formation of a high density nanocrystal dispersion. The compositions and methods provide advantages in that materials with superior properties are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: John H. Perepezko, Donald R. Allen, James C. Foley
  • Patent number: 6258463
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing anodic coatings with superior corrosion resistance and other properties on aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces by cryogenically treating the aluminum prior to anodizing. The invention also relates to the anodic coatings and to the anodically coated articles produced by the process. The anodized coating has a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm and a time to penetration of at least 5 hours for aqueous solutions of HCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kevin Corridan
  • Patent number: 6248453
    Abstract: A high strength dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy comprising an aluminum solid solution matrix strengthened by a dispersion of particles based on the compound Al3X, where Al3X has an L12 structure, is described. Various alloying elements are employed to modify the lattice parameter of the matrix and/or the particles so that the matrix and particles have similar lattice parameters. The alloy is produced by rapid solidification from the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Watson
  • Patent number: 6238494
    Abstract: Described is a polycrystalline, metallic sputtering target with a minimum of statically crystallized grain size difference in grain size at any location of less than about ±3%, as well as a dispersion in orientation content ratio of textures of less than about ±4% at any location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Segal
  • Patent number: 6238497
    Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum alloy fin stock material, comprising the steps of continuously strip casting an aluminum finstock alloy to form an as-cast strip, rolling the as-cast strip to form a sheet article of intermediate gauge, annealing the sheet article of intermediate gauge, and cold rolling the annealed sheet article of intermediate gauge to produce an aluminum finstock material of final gauge. The steps are carried out on a finstock alloy which comprises the following elements in weight percent: Fe 1.6 to 2.4; Si 0.7 to 1.1; Mn 0.3 to 0.6; Zn 0.3 to 2.0; Ti 0.005 to 0.040; incidental elements less than 0.05 each, total no more than 0.15; and the balance aluminum. The invention also relates to the finstock material so-produced which has good thermal conductivity, and is suitable for use in thin gauge (e.g. less than 100 &mgr;m, and preferably 60±10 &mgr;m).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Iljoon Jin, Kevin Gatenby, Willard Mark Truman Gallerneault, Toshiya Anami, Yoshito Oki, Ichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6228185
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an aluminium-based matrix melt, having boride particles dispersed therein, which is castable, and yet when cast produces a product having a surprisingly good combination of mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and elongation at failure. In the process, precursors for boride particles are reacted within an aluminium-based melt to produce boride ceramic particles such as titanium diboride, the process being carried out under conditions such that the melt remains fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Davies, James Leslie Frederick Kellie, Douglas Philip Parton, John Vivian Wood
  • Patent number: 6228186
    Abstract: Improved targets for use in DC_magnetron sputtering of aluminum or like metals are disclosed for forming metallization films having low defect densities. Methods for manufacturing and using such targets are also disclosed. Conductivity anomalies such as those composed of metal oxide inclusions can induce arcing between the target surface and the plasma. The arcing can lead to production of excessive deposition material in the form of splats or blobs. Reducing the content of conductivity anomalies and strengthening the to-be-deposited material is seen to reduce production of such splats or blobs. Other splat limiting steps include smooth finishing of the target surface and low-stress ramp up of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Pavate, Keith J. Hansen, Glen Mori, Murali Narasimhan, Seshadri Ramaswami, Jaim Nulman
  • Patent number: 6224987
    Abstract: A conductive substrate of an electrophotographic photoconductor has magnesium suicide precipitated therein as an impurity compound. The conductive substrate has an aluminum oxide film of minimum thickness deviation, and an aluminum base which exhibits a light scattering effect. An electrophotographic photoconductor using such a conductive substrate suppresses interference fringes caused by the interference action of a semiconductor laser light. Furthermore, irregular printing density and the formation of black spots is eliminated. A method for making such a conductive substrate includes annealing an aluminum base doped with silicon and magnesium to precipitate out Ms2Si, followed by anodizing a surface of the aluminum base to form an aluminum oxide film. A charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are formed on the aluminum oxide film to complete the electrophotographic photoconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetaka Yahagi
  • Patent number: 6221515
    Abstract: A bimetallic strip for a sliding bearing having a sliding strip of an aluminum alloy which is adhered to a steel supporting strip and method of manufacture. The composition of the sliding strip is from 3 to 30% of tin; from 1 to 6% of silicon and the remainder being of aluminum and impurities, and the sliding strip has at least 95% of the silicon hard particles smaller than 3.5 microns and an aluminum grain average size of about 6 microns. The sliding strip is produced by roll casting the alloy and attaching the sliding strip to the steel supporting strip to form the bimetallic strip which is heat treated between 200° and 380° C. to obtain a metallurgical bonding between the strips; subjecting the bimetallic strip to a solubilizing process of the intermetallic compounds of the aluminum alloy by heating at 380-500° C., followed by cooling; and subjecting the bimetallic strip to a precipitation treatment at a temperature from 150° to 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Joaquim de Oliveira Ramos Júnior, Denys da Cuhna Flores, Carlos Henrique Gaspar dos Santos
  • Patent number: 6206985
    Abstract: An Al alloy film containing one kind or two or more kinds of alloy components selected from a group of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and Mn in a total amount of 0.1 to 10 at %, and a melting Al alloy sputtering target for depositing the Al alloy film, wherein the above-mentioned film is used as a reflection film for an optical recording medium, a shading film for a liquid crystal display panel or for a solid image pickup device, and an Al alloy thin film line or electrode material for a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takashi Onishi, Kazuo Yoshikawa, Seiji Nishi, Seigou Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6200396
    Abstract: This invention relates to a eutectic or hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy product suitable for thixoforming, comprising (by weight) 10 to 30% silicon and, if applicable, copper (<10%), magnesium (<3%), manganese (<2%), iron (<2%), nickel (<4%), cobalt (<3%) and other elements (<0.5% each and 1% in total), the microstructure of which is composed of primary silicon crystals, equiaxed type aluminium dendrites less than 4 mm in size and a eutectic composed of eutectic silicon grains and eutectic aluminium grains less than 4 mm in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechinay
    Inventors: Gerard Laslaz, Francois Cossé, Michel Garat
  • Patent number: 6156135
    Abstract: An aluminum substrate for lithographic printing plates which forms uniform pits on electrolytic etching without undergoing dissolution, the substrate being obtained by electrolytic etching an aluminum plate prepared by continuous casting in a twin roll mold process, rolling, and annealing, in which the annealing is carried out in such a manner that the resulting aluminum plate may have a total electric current density of not more than 1.85.times.10.sup.-2 C/dm.sup.2 when scanned at a potential from -100 mV up to 1500 mV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Hotta, Hirokazu Sawada, Hirokazu Sakaki
  • Patent number: 6153025
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant and high tensile strength aluminum-based alloy consisting of, by weight, about 0.06-0.25% iron, 0.05-0.15% silicon, 0.03-0.08% manganese, 0.10-0.18% titanium, 0.10-0.18% chromium, up to 0.50% copper, up to 0.70% zinc, up to 0.02% incidental impurities, and the balance aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro A.S.
    Inventors: Lars Auran, Trond Furu
  • Patent number: 6149737
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy is industrially producible and has higher strength and toughness than the prior art alloys. The high-strength high-toughness aluminum alloy includes a first phase of .alpha.-aluminum consisting of crystal grains whose mean crystal grain size is within the range of 60 to 1000 nm and a second phase of at least two different of intermetallic compounds consisting of crystal grains whose mean crystal grain sizes are within the range of 20 to 2000 nm. The crystal grains of the intermetallic compounds are dispersed so that they are only intermittently, and not continuously, linked throughout the alloy material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Hattori, Toshihiko Kaji, Manabu Hashikura, Yoshishige Takano
  • Patent number: 6135195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thixoformable Al alloy composites wherein Si is added to ASTM 2000 series aluminum alloy so that the total Si content thereof may be 1-5 at. % and also a manufacturing method of thixoformable Al alloy composites comprising: obtaining a matrix of the composite containing 1-5 at. % of the total Si content by adding Si to ASTM 2000 series aluminum alloy; holding the matrix in the temperature range of 560-610.degree. C. to obtain a liquid fraction of 40-70% and thereafter performing a thixoforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jae Chul Lee, Ho In Lee, Ji Young Byun
  • Patent number: 6132530
    Abstract: Aluminum-strontium enriched master alloy granules for use primarily in modifying the eutectic phase in aluminum-silicon casting alloys. The master alloy granules are predominantly intermetallic compounds Al.sub.4 Sr, Al.sub.2 Sr or AlSr and mixtures thereof. By using such intermetallic dominant alloys in a granulated state rapid dissolution in aluminum-silicon alloy melts is achieved. The master alloy composition can be directly added to a content of the melt or injected into it. The master alloy composition can also be mixed with aluminum granules and extruded into a rod or entrained into a billet of cast aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Timminco Limited
    Inventors: Douglas J. Zuliani, Bahadir Kulunk
  • Patent number: 6129792
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.00 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 460.degree. C. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Shawn J. Murtha
  • Patent number: 6127047
    Abstract: High temperature alloys resistant to degradation and oxidation are provided. In accordance with preferred embodiments, alloys comprising from about 0.1 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, from about 10 to about 80 atomic percent aluminum, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, iridium, rhenium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium and tantalum are formed. Shaped bodies and structural members comprising such alloys are also described as are methods for their fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Wayne L. Worrell, Kang N. Lee
  • Patent number: 6120621
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy strip useful for can stock having a thickness of less than or equal to about 30 mm, and containing large (Mn,Fe)Al.sub.6 intermetallics as principal intermetallic particles in said strip. The intermetallic particles have an average surface size at a surface of the strip and an average bulk size in a bulk of the strip, the average surface size being greater than the average bulk size. The strip article may be produced by supplying a molten aluminum alloy having a composition consisting, in addition to aluminum, essentially by weight of: Si between 0.05 and 0.15%; Fe between 0.3 and 0.6%; Mn between 0.6 and 1.2%; Mg between 1.1 and 1.8%; Cu between 0.2 and 0.6%; and other elements: less than or equal to 0.05% each element with a maximum of 0.2% for the total of other elements; and casting the molten alloy in a continuous caster having opposed moving mold surfaces to an as-cast thickness of less than or equal to 30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Iljoon Jin, John Fitzsimon
  • Patent number: 6113667
    Abstract: A brazing powder comprises a single powder or mixture powder that is composed of one or more type of elements consisting of Al, Si and Zn, having the composition of Al--Si--Zn hypereutectic alloy in terms of the total amount. The brazing powder comprises above 15% but up to 60% by weight of Si and 5% to 30% by weight of Zn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aluminum Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunori Hyogo, Hiroto Momosaki, Ken Tohma
  • Patent number: 6106641
    Abstract: A continuous-cast and cold-rolled aluminum alloy sheet for a cross fin, characterized by a chemical composition consisting of not less than 0.05 wt % and less than 0.30 wt % Fe, more than 0.03 wt % and less than 0.10 wt % Mn, an amount of a grain refining agent, and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities including less than 0.15 wt % Si; a microstructure substantially composed of subgrains; and an electrical conductivity of 55% IACS or more. The aluminum alloy sheet is advantageously produced by a process including the steps of continuous-casting an aluminum alloy melt having the above-mentioned chemical composition to form a cast sheet having a sheet thickness of not more than 30 mm; cold-rolling the cast sheet at a reduction of 90% or more, followed by a temper annealing at a temperature of from 250 to 300.degree. C. for a holding time of 2 hours or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: NipponLight Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nishikawa, Takahiko Watai
  • Patent number: 6103023
    Abstract: Thin film of quasicrystalline alloy having a thickness of between approximately 0.01 and 10 .mu.m comprising one or more quasicrystalline phases having a volume which represents at least 60% by volume of the quasicrystalline alloy, a quasicrystalline phase being either a quasicrystalline phase which exhibits rotational symmetries normally incompatible with a translational symmetry, i.e., symmetries with a 5-, 8-, 10- and 12-fold rotation axis, or an approximant phase or an approximant compound which is a true crystal, the approximant phase or compound having a crystallographic structure which remains compatible with the translational symmetry, but which has, in an electron diffraction photograph, diffraction patterns whose symmetry is close to that of 5-, 8-, 10- or 12-fold rotation axes; wherein the alloy has the following nominal composition, which is given in atomic percentages: Al.sub.a Re.sub.r Si.sub.s X.sub.d Mn.sub.m in which X represents at least one element chosen from B, C, P, S and Ge; 15.ltoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.oise Cyrot-Lackmann, Thierry Grenet, Claire Berger, Guy Fourcaudot, Claire Gignoux
  • Patent number: 6086688
    Abstract: A metal-matrix composite material includes a matrix having magnesium in an amount of more than about 0.3 weight percent but no more than about 2.5 weight percent, an alloying element of about 0.8 to about 2.5 weight percent iron or from about 1.0 to about 2.5 weight percent manganese, and the balance aluminum and impurities. Dispersed throughout the matrix is a plurality of metal oxide particles present in an amount of more than about 5 volume percent but no more than about 25 volume percent of the total volume of the matrix and the particles. This material may be cast into casting molds. After casting is complete and during solidification of the matrix alloy, a high volume fraction of intermetallic particles is crystallized in the matrix alloy. The total of the volume fractions of the metal oxide particles and the intermetallic particles is from about 10 to about 40 volume percent, preferably from about 25 to about 40 volume percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Alcan International Ltd.
    Inventors: Don Allen Doutre, Iljoon Jin, David James Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6074497
    Abstract: A highly wear-resistant aluminum-based composite alloy has improved wear resistant itself and the wear amount of the opposed Fe-based material is decreased as compared with the conventional wear-resistant aluminum alloys. The inventive composite alloy has a structure that at least either a dispersing phase selected from the group consisting of hard fine particles or a solid-lubricant particles having average diameter of 10 um or less is dispersed in an aluminum-alloy matrix which contains quasi-crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignees: Akihisa Inoue, Teikoku Piston Ring Company Limited, YKK Corporation, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Inoue, Masahiro Oguchi, Junichi Nagahora, Masato Otsuki, Toru Kohno, Shin Takeda, Yuma Horio
  • Patent number: 6056802
    Abstract: A high-strength aluminum-based alloy consisting essentially of a composition represented by the general formula: Al.sub.bal Mn.sub.a M.sub.b or Al.sub.bal Mn.sub.a M.sub.b TM.sub.c wherein M represents one or more members selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe and Cu, TM represents one or more members selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Y, Zr, La, Ce and Mm and a, b and c each represent an atomic percent (at %) in the range of 2.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.5, 2.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.6 and 0<c.ltoreq.2 and containing monoclinic crystals of an intermetallic compound of an Al.sub.9 Co.sub.2 -type structure in the structure thereof. The Al-based alloy has excellent mechanical properties including a high hardness, high strength and high elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kita, Koji Saito
  • Patent number: 6056836
    Abstract: Sheet for welded constructions having an ultimate tensile strength R.sub.m >275 MPa, elongation A>22% and a product A.times.R.sub.m >7000, having the composition, in % by weight:______________________________________ Mg: 4.2-4.7; Mn: 0.20-0.40; Zn: <0.20; Fe: 0.20-0.45; Si <0.25; Cr <0.15; Cu <0.25; Ti <0.10; Zr <0.10; ______________________________________other elements <0.05 each and <0.20 in total,balance Al.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Hoffman, Guy-Michel Raynaud, Martin-Peter Schmidt, Herve Ribes
  • Patent number: 6045636
    Abstract: Age-hardened aluminum alloy sheet can be subjected to a shearing operation, such as trimming or piercing, with reduced sliver formation by first heating the region to be sheared to a temperature above about 250.degree. C., immediately quenching the heated region to soften the region, and then performing the shearing operation in the softened region before age-hardening occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Edward Krajewski
  • Patent number: 6042658
    Abstract: Disclosed is a practical aluminum-based alloy containing 1 to 99 weight percent beryllium and improved methods for the investment casting of net shape aluminum-beryllium alloy parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Brush Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz C. Grensing, James M. Marder, Jere H. Brophy
  • Patent number: 6036792
    Abstract: A novel product composed of a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal, including uniformly distributed, finely sized carbide phase particles formed in situ in a molten metal and a novel method for producing such a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal are disclosed. A salt-based liquid state reaction involving a liquid metal/alloy containing a liquid Ti, B, Si, Sc, Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr, Mo, Al (when the molten metal matrix is not aluminum), or V and a halide salt containing carbon particles forms a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the metal matrix. The ceramic dispersoid in metal product of the present invention includes at least about 50 volume percent of a matrix metal of aluminum; and up to about 50 volume percent of a uniform distribution of finely sized ceramic phase particles formed and dispersed in-situ in the aluminum metal matrix, wherein the finely sized ceramic phase particles have an average particle diameter of less than about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Men Glenn Chu, Siba P. Ray
  • Patent number: 6033542
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode for semiconductor devices capable of suppressing the generation of hillocks and reducing the resistivity, which is suitable for an active matrixed liquid crystal display and the like in which a thin film transistor is used; its fabrication method; and a sputtering target for forming the electrode film for semiconductor devices. The electrode for semiconductor devices is made of an Al alloy containing the one or more alloying elements selected from Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh and Ir, in a total amount from 0.1 to 10 At %, or one or more alloying elements selected from rare earth elements, in a total amount from 0.05 to 15 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Seigo Yamamoto, Katsutoshi Takagi, Eiji Iwamura, Kazuo Yoshikawa, Takashi Oonishi
  • Patent number: 6033783
    Abstract: An ultrafine Al particle consists of an Al multiply twinned particle. The Al multiply twinned particle has a decahedron structure surrounded by {111} planes. The Al multiply twinned decahedral particle has a diameter of 10 to 30 nm. Such an ultrafine Al particle consisting of the Al multiply twinned decahedral particle is obtained as follows. A metastable Al oxide particle is placed on an amorphous carbon substrate having the reduction effect. Then the electron beam is irradiated to the metastable Al oxide particle placed on the amorphous carbon substrate in the vacuum atmosphere. From the metastable Al oxide particle, Al atoms or Al clusters are emitted and adsorbed to the substrate. By adjusting the electron beam intensity so that the ultrafine Al particle in the above procedure has a diameter from 10 to 30 nm, the Al multiply twinned particle having a decahedron is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: Research Development Corporation of Japan, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shun-ichiro Tanaka, BingShe Xu
  • Patent number: 6024806
    Abstract: An Al-base alloy prepared by hot-working a mixture of an Al alloy powder and dan Ni powder to join the powders and having a structure wherein Ni--Al intermetallic compounds are dispersed. The powder mixture can be hot-worked in the solid-phase temperature range, liquid phase temperature range or solid-liquid phase mixture temperature range of the Al alloy. A dispersion strengthening powder can be further admixed with the mixture of Al alloy powder and Ni powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Yoshino, Toshio Tani, Kazuo Osada