And Ageing, Solution Treating (i.e., For Hardening), Precipitation Hardening Or Strengthening Patents (Class 148/690)
  • Patent number: 7285174
    Abstract: A method for producing metallic strips having a high-grade cube texture based on nickel, copper, aluminum, silver or alloys of these metals including austenitic iron-nickel alloys makes it possible to obtain, during a subsequent annealing process and with lower total degrees of forming, a recrystallization cube layer of a quality equal to that of one obtained using customary roll forming and produces a better quality cube texture with comparable total degrees of forming. To this end, a forming method is provided during which the materials are formed by cold drawing before their recrystallization annealing thereby rendering them high-grade. The tools used for this include: a) non-driven roll devices with an axially parallel flat pair of rolls or turk's head arrangements with two pairs of rolls or; b) fixed drawing jaws that are slanted toward one another. The strips produced according to the invention can be used, for example, as a coating support for producing strip-shaped high-temperature superconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fuer Festkoerper-und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V.
    Inventors: Joerg Eickemeyer, Dietmar Selbmann, Ralph Opitz
  • Patent number: 7214281
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy extrusion product having improved strength and fracture toughness, the aluminum base alloy comprised of 1.95 to 2.5 wt. % Cu, 1.9 to 2.5 wt. % Mg, 8.2 to 10 wt. % Zn, 0.05 to 0.25 wt. % Zr, max. 0.15 wt. % Si, max. 0.15 wt. % Fe, max. 0.1 wt. % Mn, the remainder aluminum and incidental elements and impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Alloy Corporation
    Inventors: Iulian Gheorghe, Dean C. Malejan, Rene Mächler
  • Patent number: 7025839
    Abstract: The heat treatment of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy, having alloying elements in solid solution includes the stages of holding the alloy for a relatively short time at an elevated temperature TA appropriate for ageing the alloy; cooling the alloy from the temperature TA at a sufficiently rapid rate and to a lower temperature so that primary precipitation of solute elements is substantially arrested; holding the alloy at a temperature TB for a time sufficient to achieve a suitable level of secondary nucleation or continuing precipitation of solute elements; and heating the alloy to a temperature which is at, sufficiently close to, or higher than temperature TA and holding for a further sufficient period of time at temperature TC for achieving substantially maximum strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Roger Neil Lumley, Ian James Polmear, Allan James Morton
  • Patent number: 6962632
    Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum alloy hollow materials and processes for producing the same wherein an aluminum alloy hollow material is produced by subjecting an ingot of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3˜1.5 wt % Mn to port hole extrusion or port hole extrusion and drawing-elongation processing and wherein a difference in electric conductivity between individual portions in lengthwise direction of the hollow material is not more than 1.0 IACS %. According to the aluminum alloy hollow materials, preferential corrosion in welding potions in port hole extrusion can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuo Taguchi, Toshio Ohta
  • Patent number: 6918975
    Abstract: A substantially unrecrystallized extrusion comprising about 3.6 to about 4.2 wt. % copper, about 1.0 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to about 0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to 0.25% zirconium, the balance substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The extrusion has a longitudinal yield strength of at least about 50 ksi and a longitudinal tensile ultimate strength of at least about 70 ksi. On a preferred basis, the extrusions of this invention include very low levels of both iron and silicon, typically on the order of less than 0.1 wt. % each, and more preferably about 0.05 wt. % or less iron and about 0.03 wt. % or less silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: John Liu, Gary H. Bray, David A. Lukasak, Robert C. Pahl
  • Patent number: 6908520
    Abstract: Disclosed are aluminum alloy hollow materials and processes for producing the same wherein an aluminum alloy hollow material is produced by subjecting an ingot of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3˜1.5 wt % Mn to port hole extrusion or port hole extrusion and drawing-elongation processing and wherein a difference in electric conductivity between individual portions in lengthwise direction of the hollow material is not more than 1.0 IACS %. According to the aluminum alloy hollow materials, preferential corrosion in welding potions in port hole extrusion can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Taguchi, Toshio Ohta
  • Publication number: 20040211498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an integrated monolithic aluminum structure, including the steps of: (a) providing an aluminum alloy plate from an aluminum alloy with a predetermined thickness (y), (b) shaping or forming the alloy plate to obtain a predetermined shaped structure, (c) heat-treating the shaped structure, (d) machining, e.g. high velocity machining, the shaped structure to obtain an integrated monolithic aluminum structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz
  • Patent number: 6802444
    Abstract: A method for treating alloy before and after friction stir welding, the method comprising the following steps. First solution heat treating a multiplicity of aluminum-zinc alloy engineered components for a first time period at a first temperature. First air cooling the components in ambient air at room temperature until the components are cooled to room temperature. Friction stir welding the components to form an assembly. Second solution heat treating the assembly for a second time period at a second temperature. Additional steps and embodiments are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: George E. Petter, John D. Figert, Daniel J. Rybicki, Timothy H. Burns
  • Publication number: 20040140025
    Abstract: A method for producing a heat treated aluminum alloy product in a shortened period of time, the method comprising: (a) providing a heat treatable aluminum alloy; (b) working the heat treatable aluminum alloy at a solutionizing temperature to form a product; (c) first stage cooling the product to a critical temperature at which precipitation of second phase particles of the heat treatable aluminum alloy is negligible, wherein the first stage cooling comprises a first stage cooling rate from about 15° F. per second to about 100° F. per second; (d) second stage cooling the product to ambient temperature; (e) heating the product to an artificial aging temperature; and (f) artificially aging the product at the artificial aging temperature for a predetermined artificial aging time to form the heat treated aluminum alloy product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, William D. Bennon, Shawn J. Murtha
  • Patent number: 6743312
    Abstract: A method of fabricating ball protective mask includes (1) aluminum extrusion: the aluminum extruded structure has a suitably shaped outer ring frame and densely packed hollow holes so that the cross section thereof forms a grid-like structure, two sides thereof being provided with lugs; (2) slicing; (3) deburring by punching; (4) punch forming: the slice is punched to form a curved mask to accomplish an inchoate form of the mask; (5) subjecting the mask to heat treatment to obtain a product with satisfactory surface hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Yu Hsun Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Tso Shih
  • Patent number: 6692589
    Abstract: A process for forming a structure element, particularly an lower wing element of an aircraft, manufactured from a rolled, extruded or forged product made of an alloy of composition (% by weight) Cu=4.6-5.3, Mg=0.10-0.50, Mn=0.15-0.45, Si<0.10, Fe<0.15, Zn<0.20, Cr<0.10, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, remainder Al. The product is treated by solution heat treating, quenching, controlled tension to more than 1.5% permanent deformation and aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Timothy Warner, Philippe Lassince, Philippe Lequeu
  • Patent number: 6679958
    Abstract: An ageing process capable of producing an aluminum alloy with better mechanical properties than possible with traditional ageing procedures. The ageing process employs a dual rate heating technique that comprises a first stage in which the aluminum alloy is heated at a first heating rate to a temperature between 100 and 170° C. and a second stage in which the aluminum alloy is heated at a second heating rate to a hold temperature of 160 to 220° C. The first heating rate is at least 100° C./hour and the second heating rate is 5 to 50° C./hour. The entire ageing process is performed in a time of 3 to 24 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro
    Inventors: Ulf Tundal, Reiso Oddvin
  • Patent number: 6630039
    Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum base alloy extruded product. The method comprises (a) providing a body of an aluminum base alloy; (b) homogenizing the body at an elevated temperature not exceeding its eutectic temperature for a sufficient period of time to provide a homogeneous distribution of the readily soluble alloy elements, (c) rapidly cooling the body; (d) reheating the body to a reheat temperature of at least 700° F. for a period of at least 0.5 hours; (e) extruding the body from the reheat temperature; (f) solution heat treating the body; and (g) quenching and aging the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lukasak, David A. King
  • Patent number: 6627010
    Abstract: The present invention concerns procedures for producing an alloy from a eutectic alloy system, in order to form a workpiece for rolling or extrusion purposes by, for example, producing an Al—Mg—Si alloy, which can be precipitation-hardened, which alloy, after having been heated to a temperature above the solubility temperature of phases which can be precipitated, is kept at this temperature until the phases have dissolved and is cooled at a cooling rate which is rapid enough to avoid most of the precipitation of the phases and slow enough to avoid most of the precipitation of dispersoid particles. At cooling rates within this interval, most coarse phases which have a reductive effect on the processing rate can be avoided and, at the same time, the number of small dispersoid particles which have a reductive effect on the mechanical properties after hardening is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Oddvin Reiso, Ulf Tundal, John Erik Hafsås, Oddgeir Sjøthun
  • Patent number: 6627012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating lightweight alloy feedstock for gun frames. Specifically, the method for producing the work stock proposed in the present invention enables a gun manufacturer to readily machine or forge a suitable gun frame. The properties attained in the final product allow the gun manufacturer to reduce the overall weight of the gun without sacrificing durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Wm. Troy Tack, Lawrence S. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6602364
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy and a process for treating the aluminum alloy. The alloy contains 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of an alloying mixture of magnesium and silicon, in which the molar ratio of Mg/Si is 0.70 to 1.25, the alloy optionally containing an additional amount of silicon up to about ⅓ of any iron, manganese and chromium in the alloy, as expressed by weight percent, the balance of the alloy being aluminum, optional alloying elements and unavoidable impurities. The process entails an ageing technique that includes a first stage in which an extrusion of the aluminum alloy is heated at a rate above 100° C./hour to 100-170° C., a second stage in which the extrusion is heated at a rate of 5 to 50° C./hour to a final hold temperature, wherein the total ageing operation is performed in 3 to 24 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro A.S.
    Inventors: Ulf Tundal, Reiso Oddvin
  • Publication number: 20030143102
    Abstract: A first aluminum alloy of the present invention comprises Mg: 0.3-6 mass %, Si: 0.3-10 mass %, Zn: 0.05-1 mass %, Sr: 0.001-0.3 mass % and the balance being Al and impurities. A second aluminum alloy further contains one or more selective additional elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, Ti, Na and Ca. Furthermore, a third aluminum alloy comprises Mg: 0.1-6 mass %, Si: 0.3-12.5 mass %, Cu: 0.01 mass % or more but less than 1 mass %, Zn: 0.01-3 mass %, Sr: 0.001-0.5 mass % and the balance being Al and impurities. Furthermore, a fourth aluminum alloy further includes one or more optional additional elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, B, C, Fe, Cr, Mn, Zr, V, Sc, Ni, Na, Sb, Ca, Sn, Bi and In.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Hideaki Matsuoka, Masaki Yamanaka, Hiroki Yoshioka, Yasuo Okamoto, Masakatsu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6565684
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow pressure vessel, in which a billet is cast from an alloy with a composition in % by weight, Zn=6.25-8.0, Mg=1.2-2.2, Cu=1.7-2.8, Fe<0.20, Fe+Si<0.40, at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Zr, V, Hf and Sc in an amount of 0.05-0.3, and other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total. The cast billet is homogenized with a temperature profile such that metal temperature is slightly less than incipient melting temperature at all times, cooled to ambient temperature and softening annealed for a duration of 20 to 40 h between 200 and 400° C. with cooling at a rate of less than 50° C./h down to a temperature of below 100° C., resulting in a billet hardness <54 HB. A slug is cut out of the softened billet, cold or slightly warm extruded with an extrusion start temperature <300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Societe Metallurgique de Gerzat
    Inventors: Christophe Sigli, Pierre Sainfort
  • Patent number: 6524410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating lightweight alloy feedstock for welded structures. Specifically, the method for producing the tubular stock proposed in the present invention enables a bicycle manufacturer to readily weld a lightweight yet high strength bicycle frame. The properties attained in the final product allow the bicycle manufacturer to reduce the overall weight of the bicycle without sacrificing durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tri-Kor Alloys, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Stevenson Kramer, William Troy Tack
  • Publication number: 20030000610
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy piping material for automotive piping excelling in corrosion resistance and workability and a method of fabricating the same. The aluminum alloy piping material comprises an aluminum alloy which comprises 0.3-1.5% of Mn, 0.01-0.20% of Fe, and 0.01-0.20% of Si, wherein the content of Cu as impurities is limited to 0.05% or less, with the balance consisting of Al and impurities, wherein, among Si compounds, Fe compounds, and Mn compounds present in the alloy matrix, the number of compounds with a particle diameter (equivalent circle diameter, hereinafter the same) of 0.5 &mgr;m or more is 3×104 or less per mm2. The aluminum alloy piping material has a tensile strength of 70-130 MPa (temper: O material). An ingot of an aluminum alloy having the composition is hot extruded. The resulting extruded pipe is cold drawn at a working ratio of 30% or more and annealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Takahiro Koyama, Hirokazu Tanaka, Yoshifusa Shoji
  • Publication number: 20020162609
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a process for the manufacture of a work-hardened product made of a high mechanical strength Al—Zn—Mg—Cu aluminium alloy consisting of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy Warner
  • Publication number: 20020150498
    Abstract: A 7XXX series aluminum alloy having reduced quench sensitivity suitable for use in aerospace structural components, such as integral wing spars, ribs, extrusions and forgings comprises, in weight %: 6 to 10 Zn, 1.3 to 1.9 Mg, 1.4 to 2.2 Cu, wherein Mg≦Cu+0.3, one or more of 0 to 0.4 Zr, up to 0.4 Sc, up to 0.2 Hf, up to 0.4 Cr, up to 1.0 Mn and the balance Al plus incidental additions including Si, Fe, Ti and the like plus impurities. By controlling the Mg content to 1.3 to 1.7 wt. %, limiting Mg≦Cu+0.3 and 6.5≦Zn≦8.5, the alloy provides significantly improved combined strength and fracture toughness in heavy gauges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Dhruba J. Chakrabarti, John Liu, Jay H. Goodman, Gregory B. Venema, Ralph R. Sawtell
  • Patent number: 6440359
    Abstract: An alloy of composition in wt. % (see table (I)) and incidental impurities up to 0.05 each 0.15 total, balance A1. The alloy can be extruded at high speed to provide extruded sections which meet T5 or T6 strength requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Parson, Jeffrey David Hankin, Kevin Paul Hicklin
  • Publication number: 20020112797
    Abstract: A population of extrusion billets has a specification such that every billet is of an alloy of composition (in wt. %): Fe <0.35; Si 0.20-0.6; Mn <0.10; Mg 0.25-0.9; Cu <0.015; Ti <0.10; Cr <0.10; Zn <0.03; balance Al of commercial purity. After ageing to T5 or T6 temper, extruded sections can be etched and anodized to give extruded matt anodized sections having improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Parson, Barry Roy Ellard, Graeme John Marshall
  • Patent number: 6423163
    Abstract: A free-cutting aluminum alloy without lead as an alloy element, containing: (a) as alloy elements: 0.5 to 1.0 wt. % Mn; 0.4 to 1.8 wt. % Mg; 3.3 to 4.6 wt. % Cu; 0.4 to 1.9 wt. % Sn; 0 to 0.1 wt. % Cr; 0 to 0.2 wt. % Ti; (b) as impurities: up to 0.8 wt. % Si; up to 0.7 wt. % Fe; up to 0.8 wt. % Zn; up to 0.1 wt. % Pb; up to 0.1 wt. % Bi; up to 0.3 wt. % total of other impurities; and (c) the balance being substantially aluminum. The process includes the steps of semicontinuously casting the above alloy composition followed by homogenization annealing, cooling, heating to a working temperature for extrusion, extruding at a maximum temperature of 380° C., followed by press-quenching and aging. The aging may be a natural aging or an artificial aging. A cold working step and/or a tension straightening step also may be conducted after the press-quenching step. The extruding step includes indirectly extruding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Impol Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Anton Smolej, Vuka{haeck over (s)}in Dragojevi{haeck over (c)}, Edvard Sla{haeck over (c)}ek, Toma{haeck over (z)} Smolar
  • Patent number: 6391129
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminium extrusion alloy comprising in weight percent: Mn 1.0-1.4, Cu 0.2-2.0, Mg 0.1-0.6, Si 0.15-1.0, Fe 0.8 max., Zn 0.25 max., Ti 0.15 max., Cr 0.35 max., Zr and/or V in total 0.25 max., others up to 0.05 each, total 0.15, balance aluminium, and with the proviso that (Cu+Mg)>0.7, and which aluminium extrusion alloy is particularly suitable for application in brazed assemblies, and the invention further relates to a method of its manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Corus Aluminium N.V., Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy John Hurd, Klaus Vieregge, Louis Walter Marie Paul Tack, Arne Mulkers
  • Patent number: 6375767
    Abstract: A population of extrusion billets has a specification such that every billet is of an alloy of composition (in wt. %) : Fe<0.35; Si 0.20-0.6; Mn<0.10; Mg 0.25-0.9; Cu<0.015; Ti<0.10; Cr<0.10; Zn<0.03; balance Al of commercial purity. After ageing to T5 or T6 temper, extruded sections can be etched and anodized to give extruded matte anodized sections having improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Parson, Barry Roy Ellard, Graeme John Marshall
  • Publication number: 20020003015
    Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum base alloy extruded product. The method comprises (a) providing a body of an aluminum base alloy; (b) homogenizing the body at an elevated temperature not exceeding its eutectic temperature for a sufficient period of time to provide a homogeneous distribution of the readily soluble alloy elements, (c) rapidly cooling the body; (d) reheating the body to a reheat temperature of at least 700° F. for a period of at least 0.5 hours; (e) extruding the body from the reheat temperature; (f) solution heat treating the body; and (g) quenching and aging the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Lukasak, David A. King
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010020501
    Abstract: A substantially unrecrystallized extrusion comprising about 3.6 to about 4.2 wt. % copper, about 1.0 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to about 0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.25% zirconium, the balance substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The extrusion has a longitudinal yield strength of at least about 50 ksi and a longitudinal tensile ultimate strength of at least about 70 ksi. On a preferred basis, the extrusions of this invention include very low levels of both iron and silicon, typically on the order of less than 0.1 wt. % each, and more preferably about 0.05 wt. % or less iron and about 0.03 wt. % or less silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: John Liu, Gary H. Bray, David A. Lukasak, Robert C. Pahl
  • Patent number: 6258465
    Abstract: Provided is an energy absorbing member which makes it possible to induce contraction and deformation into a form of bellows, with Euler's buckle being restrained. An energy absorbing member comprises a hollow extrusion which is made of an aluminum alloy and has an outer portion and an inner rib connected to the outer portion, and the radius of the corner where the rib and the outer portion are connected to each other is not more than a half of the thickness of the rib. A similar energy absorbing member has plural inner ribs which are connected to the outer portion and cross each other, and the radius of the corner where the ribs cross each other is 1 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takashi Oka, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Masakazu Hirano
  • Patent number: 6223436
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a seat back in a vehicle comprising an aluminum I-beam formed in a generally U-shaped configuration, and having opposing ends supported with respect to the vehicle for forming a seat back frame. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a vehicle seat back frame, comprising: a) extruding an aluminum I-beam; b) cutting the I-beam to a desired length; c) age-hardening the I-beam; and d) bending the I-beam into a substantially U-shaped configuration to form a vehicle seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric A. Smitterberg, L. Keith Hensley, Sanford E. Cook, Kevin J. Fudale
  • Patent number: 6168067
    Abstract: A method for reducing material property degradation during friction stir welding. More specifically, the method includes the steps of solution heat treating first and second structural members at a first predetermined temperature schedule. The first and second structural members are then quenched to a predetermined temperature at which the structural members are in a nonequilibrium state and have an incomplete temper. The first structural member is then positioned adjacent to the second structural member, thereby defining an interface therebetween. Thereafter, the first and second structural members are joined to form a structural assembly by friction stir welding the material along the interface prior to precipitation heat treating the structural assembly. The structural assembly is then aged, such as by precipitation heat treating, at a second predetermined temperature schedule to stabilize the material properties of the resulting structural assembly, thereby completing the temper of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Waldron, Richard G. Pettit
  • Patent number: 6159315
    Abstract: Stress relieving of an age hardenable aluminium alloy product after solution heat treatment and quenching, is carried out by a permanent cold plastic deformation applied by the steps of:(a) applying a stress-relieving cold mechanical stretch to said product, and(b) applying a stress-relieving cold compression to said product.This combined treatment gives improved strength and toughness and at least comparable distortion after machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Johann Peter Haszler, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Otmar Martin Muller
  • Patent number: 6136106
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing thin-walled pipes, which are made of a heat-resistant and wear-resistant aluminum-based material. The method comprises the spray-compacting of a thick-walled pipe made of a hypereutectic aluminum-silicon AlSi material, possibly a subsequent overaging annealing, and the hot deformation to a thin-walled pipe. Such a method is in particular united for the production of cylinder liners of internal combustion engines, since the produced liners exhibit the required properties in regard to wear resistance, heat resistance and reduction of pollutant emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Erbsloh Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Commandeur, Rolf Schattevoy, Klaus Hummert
  • Patent number: 6120625
    Abstract: There are provided a continuous frictional extrusion process for continuously producing a deformed fine grain solid metal composition suitable for semi-solid forming. The process is featured by a large range of produce dimension and by precise control of the process parameter, such as total deformation, extrusion temperature and speed. The total deformation is controlled to be larger than a Mises effective strain of 2.3 to obtain a deformed fine grain structure with enough distortion energy stored, having a grain size less than 30 .mu.m and a subgrain size less than 2 .mu.m. A method combining the continuous extrusion process of preparing semi-solid raw material with semi-solid forming of shaped articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventors: Youdong Zhou, Jian Lu, Navtej Singh Saluja, Alfredo Riviere V.
  • Patent number: 6113850
    Abstract: An A-rated, aluminum alloy suitable for machining, said alloy consisting essentially of: about 4-5.75 wt. % copper, about 0.2-0.9 wt. % bismuth, about 0.12-1.0 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 0.8:1 to 5:1, up to about 0.7 wt. % iron, up to about 0.4 wt. % silicon, up to about 0.3 wt. % zinc, the balance aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. On a preferred basis, this alloy contains about 4.4-5.0 wt. % copper, about 0.4-0.75 wt. % bismuth, about 0.2-0.5 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 1:1 to 3:1, about 0.2 wt. % or less iron and about 0.2 wt. % or less silicon. The alloy is substantially lead-free, cadmium-free and thallium-free. There is further disclosed an improved method for making screw machine stock or wire, rod and bar product from this alloy by casting, preheating, extruding, solution heat treating, cold finishing and aging the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Charles W. Bartges, Gerald D. Scott, Thomas J. Klemp, M. Elise Hyland, James A. Brock, Colleen Spillard
  • Patent number: 5993576
    Abstract: A wear-resistant wrought Al alloy having a desirable high fatigue strength, toughness and flexure strength when subjected to a quenching and an age hardening heat treatment. The Al alloy contains 8.0 to 13.0% by weight of Si, 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of Fe, 1.5 to 5.0% by weight of Cu, 0.4 to 1.5% by weight of Mg, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of Cr, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of Ni, an element selected from the group consisting of 0.005 to 0.05% by weight of Sr and 0.05 to 0.3% by weight of Sb, and the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities, wherein there is no more than 0.04% by weight of Mn as an unavoidable impurity. The Al alloy having Si particles being finely dispersed therein, wherein an average diameter of an equivalent circle of Si particles is not more than 5.00 .mu.m and an average roundness of Si particles is not less than 0.50. The amounts of Fe, Cr and Ni contained in the alloy and the amount of Mn as an impurity are such to prevent Si particles and other intermetallic compounds from enlarging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Ichinose, Akira Hideno, Nobuaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 5964967
    Abstract: A treatment process for a composite comprising a matrix of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy and a particulate or short fiber ceramic reinforcement. The process includes hot and/or cold working the composite, subjecting the composite to a controlled heating step in which the composite is raised from ambient temperature to a temperature of from 250 to 450.degree. C. at a rate of temperature increase less than 1000.degree. C. per hour, and subjecting the resulting heat treated composite to a solution treating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defence Research Agency
    Inventors: Timothy Frederick Bryant, Simon Brian Dodd, Stephen Mark Flitcroft, William Sinclair Miller, Roger Moreton, Christopher John Peel
  • Patent number: 5961752
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved aluminum base alloy comprising an improved aluminum base alloy comprising 0.2 to 2 wt. % Si, 0.3 to 1.7 wt. % Mg, 0 to 1.2 wt. % Cu, 0 to 1.1 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % Cr, and at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of 0.01 to 0.3 wt. % V, 0.001 to 0.1 wt. % Be and 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % Sr, the remainder comprising aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. Also disclosed are methods of casting and thermomechanical processing of the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Company
    Inventor: S. Craig Bergsma
  • Patent number: 5951794
    Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum drive shaft for automobiles or trucks or other drive shaft applications from aluminum alloy tube and methods for making drive shafts. The method includes providing an aluminum tube member is joined to drive shaft end members. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a 6000 series type alloy; (b) extruding the alloy within about 500.degree. to 800.degree. F. into a hollow elongate tube; (c) drawing the tube to a reduction of at least 15% in metal cross-sectional area; (d) solution heat treating the alloy at a temperature of at least about 990.degree. F. and then quenching; and (e) reducing the diameter of the tube and increasing the tube wall thickness to provide a relatively short tube length of reduced diameter, a transition section and thicker wall thickness at one or both ends of a drive shaft suitable length of said tube. The transition section has a non-linear wall. In a preferred embodiment, the transition section has central circumferential stiffener section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: John A. Dickson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5932037
    Abstract: A method of making a pressurized gas cylinder comprises providing an ingot of composition (in wt %); Zn 5.0-7.0; Mg 1.5-3.0; Cu 1.0-2.7; recrystallization inhibitor 0.05-0.40; Fe up to 0.30; Si up to 0.15; other impurities up to 0.05 each and 0.15 in total, balance Al of at least commercial purity, if necessary homogenizing the ingot at a temperature of at least 470.degree. C. and for a time sufficient to reduce the volume fraction of S phase to a value below 1.0%, extruding the ingot preferably by cold backward extrusion, and forming and over-aging the resulting pressurized gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Luxfer Group Limited
    Inventors: Nigel John Henry Holroyd, Warren Hepples
  • Patent number: 5916385
    Abstract: An essentially lead-free aluminum alloy is provided for extruded screw machine stock. The alloy consists essentially of from about 4.5% to about 6% copper, a maximum of about 0.4% silicon, a maximum of about 0.7% iron, not more than about 0.3% zinc, from about 0.1% to about 1% bismuth, from about 0.1% to about 0.5% tin, balance aluminum and unavoidable impurities. The screw machine stock is prepared by extruding a homogenized billet to the desired shape, then the shape is subjected to a thermomechanical treatment involving at least one heat-treatment and cold working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Leroy Coats, II, Larry Eugene Farrar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5911845
    Abstract: A high-strength extruded article of an age-hardening aluminum alloy capable of educing an achromatic dark gray color after the anodizing treatment thereof and a method for the production thereof are disclosed. The method comprises subjecting an alloy billet comprising 0.9 to 3.0% by weight of Si, 0.3 to 0.6% by weight of Mg, less than 0.3% by weight of Fe, and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities or an alloy billet comprising 0.005 to 0.1% by weight of Ti either alone or in combination with 0.001 to 0.02% by weight of B besides the components mentioned above to a soaking treatment at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 480.degree. C. for 2 to 12 hours, extruding the soaked alloy billet at a billet temperature in the range of from 380 to 450 .degree. C., and subjecting the extruded alloy to an aging treatment at a temperature in the range of from 170 to 200.degree. C. for 2 to 8 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Fukagawa, Shoso Yamamoto, Hiroshi Chiba, Mitsunao Satomura, Kengo Kawase
  • Patent number: 5888320
    Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum product having high formability high fracture toughness, high strength and improved corrosion resistance, the method comprising: (a) providing stock including an aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of about 0.7 to 1.0 wt. % silicon, not more than about 0.3 wt. % iron, not more than about 0.5 wt. % copper, about 0.8 to 1.1 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to 0.4 wt. % manganese, and about 0.5 to 0.8 wt. % zinc, the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; (b) homogenizing the stock at a temperature ranging from about 950.degree. to 1050.degree. F. for a time period ranging from about 2 to 20 hours; (c) hot rolling at a temperature ranging from about 750.degree. to 950.degree. F. will increase; (d) solution heat treating at a temperature ranging from about 1000.degree. to 1080.degree. F. for a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to one hour; (e) cooling by quenching at a rate of about 1000.degree. F./second to a temperature of 100.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph C. Dorward
  • Patent number: 5876525
    Abstract: In order to simplify the production of a nigh-resistance bobbin body made of an aluminum alloy, the following process steps are performed: (a) extruding or flow extruding an essentially cylindrical bobbin blank; (b) cutting the bobbin blank to a length including the desired bobbin body length plus an overlength sufficient to form end flanges on the bobbin body; (c) shaping end flanges at both ends of the bobbin body from the overlength portion; hardening the bobbin body; and age-hardening (aging) the bobbin body. Various process parameters are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Hilebrandt-Spolen-Bobbins GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Prechtel, Davorin Lenarcic
  • Patent number: 5865911
    Abstract: Rolled plate products up to 6 inches thick or more and other products in an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of about 5.2 to 6.8% zinc, 1.7 to 2.4% copper, 1.6 to 2% magnesium, 0.03 to 0.3% zirconium, balance substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes especially by machining or shaping such members from the plate. Such members include lower wing skins and wing spars and other members. The plate is made by operations comprising homogenization, hot rolling, solution heat treatment, stretching and artificial aging. Alternatively, the plate is shaped after stretching, which may include machining, and is then artificially aged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Shelly M. Miyasato, Gary H. Bray, John Liu, James T. Staley
  • Patent number: 5858134
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of rolled or extruded products of high strength AlSiMgCu aluminium alloy with good intergranular corrosion resistance, comprising the following steps:casting a plate or billet with the following composition (by weight):Si: 0.7-1.3%Mg: 0.6-1.1%Cu: 0.5-1.1%Mn: 0.3-0.8%Zr: <0.20%Fe: <0.30%Zn: <1%Ag: <1%Cr: <0.25%other elements: <0.05% each and <0.15% in total remainder: aluminium; with: Mg/Si<1homogenising in the range 470.degree. C. to 570.degree. C.;hot working, and optionally cold working;solution heat treating in the range 540.degree. C. to 570.degree. C.;quenching;annealing, comprising at least one temperature plateau in the range 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., preferably in the range 165.degree. C. to 220.degree. C., the total period measured as the equivalent time at 175.degree. C. being in the range 30 h to 300 h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Denis Bechet, Timothy Warner
  • Patent number: 5820708
    Abstract: This invention relates to the extrusion of aluminium-lithium alloys, desirably in the form of relatively thin sections, which are particularly suitable for aerospace applications. The invention provides a method of extruding a lithium-containing aluminium alloy containing at least 0.1% by weight of copper, which method comprises: a) providing a billet of the alloy in an homogenised condition at a temperature suitable for extrusion, wherein the alloy contains at least 1.5% by weight of lithium, b) extruding the billet at a temperature and at an extrusion rate such that essentially all of the components thereof are in solid solution as the extrudate leaves the extrusion die, and c) cooling the extrudate at a rate sufficient to avoid substantially any precipitation of the components thereof taking place. Corrosion of the extruded sections after quenching and after ageing can be substantially reduced by means of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Martin Roy Jarrett
  • Patent number: 5810952
    Abstract: A process for making an essentially lead-free screw machine stock alloy, comprising the steps of providing a cast aluminum ingot having a composition consisting essentially of about 0.55 to 0.70 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to 0.45 wt. % iron, about 0.30 to 0.40 wt. % copper, about 0.8 to 0.15 wt. % manganese, about 0.80 to 1.10 wt. % magnesium, about 0.08 to 0.14 wt. % chromium, nor more than about 0.25 wt. % zinc, about 0.007 to 0.07 wt. % titanium, about 0.20 to 0.8 wt. % bismuth, about 0.15 to 0.25 wt. % tin, balance aluminum and unavoidable impurities; homogenizing the alloy at a temperature ranging from about 900.degree. to 1060.degree. F. for a time period of at least 1 hour; cooling to room temperature; cutting the ingot into billets; heating and extruding the billets into a desired shape; and thermomechanically treating the extruded alloy shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Larry E. Farrar, Jr., Norman LeRoy Coats, II