Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a strip made of an AlMgSi alloy in which a rolling ingot is cast of an AlMgSi alloy, the rolling ingot is subjected to homogenization, the rolling ingot which has been brought to rolling temperature is hot-rolled, and then is optionally cold-rolled to the final thickness thereof. The problem of providing a method for producing an aluminum strip made of an AlMgSi alloy and an aluminum strip, which has a higher breaking elongation with constant strength and therefore enables higher degrees of deformation in producing structured metal sheets, is solved in that the hot strip has a temperature of no more than 130° C. directly at the exit of the last rolling pass, preferably a temperature of no more than 100° C., and the hot strip is coiled at that or a lower temperature.

Abstract: Methods of heat treating aluminum alloys are disclosed. The method may include forming a sheet of solution heat-treated, quenched, and aged 6xxx series aluminum having a sheet average yield strength of at least 100 MPa into a component. The component may then be attached to an assembly and at least a portion of the assembly may be painted. The method may then include heat treating the assembly to cure the paint and to increase a component average yield to at least 240 MPa. In another embodiment, the method may include progressively forging a sheet of T4-tempered 6xxx series aluminum into a component using multiple dies and artificially aging the component at 210° C. to 240° C. for 20 to 40 minutes to a component average yield strength of at least 300 MPa. The methods may reduce component cycle time and may reduce strength gradients within the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a strip made of an AlMgSi alloy in which a rolling ingot is cast of an AlMgSi alloy, the rolling ingot is subjected to homogenization, the rolling ingot which has been brought to rolling temperature is hot-rolled, and then is optionally cold-rolled to the final thickness thereof. The problem of providing a method for producing an aluminum strip made of an AlMgSi alloy and an aluminum strip, which has a higher breaking elongation with constant strength and therefore enables higher degrees of deformation in producing structured metal sheets, is solved in that the hot strip has a temperature of no more than 130° C. directly at the exit of the last rolling pass, preferably a temperature of no more than 100° C., and the hot strip is coiled at that or a lower temperature.

Abstract: Method of forming a component of complex shape from an Al-alloy sheet or a Mg-alloy sheet. The method includes the steps of: a) heating the sheet to a temperature below the solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature for the alloy; b) forming the heated sheet between heated dies into or towards the complex shape; c) heating the sheet to at least its SHT temperature and substantially maintaining that temperature until SHT has been completed; and d) quenching the solution heat treated sheet between cold dies and at the same time completing the forming into the complex shape or maintaining that shape.

Abstract: The invention includes the hot thermo-mechanical processing of heat-treatable aluminum alloys comprising preparation of the billet material, heating the billet to obtain the temperature for solution treatment, holding the billet at this temperature a sufficient amount of time required for the dissolution of soluble elements, cooling the billet to the temperature necessary for plastic deformation with essential preservation of the solid solution, plastic deformation, immediate quenching of the billet after plastic deformation, and then billet aging at the corresponding temperature and time. Additional plastic deformation may be used between stages of quenching and aging. An embodiment specifies cooling rate, forging temperature and strain rate.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy forging material of the present invention is constituted by an aluminum alloy cast product obtained by subjecting an aluminum alloy ingot having a structure in which a secondary dentrite arm spacing (DAS) is 40 ?m or less and an average grain diameter of crystallized substances is 8 ?m or less to homogenization treatment for holding the ingot for one hour or more under temperature conditions of 450 to 510° C., wherein the ingot is obtained by continuously casting a molten aluminum alloy having an alloy composition consisting of: Si: 0.80 to 1.15 mass %; Fe: 0.2 to 0.5 mass %; Cu: 3.8 to 5 mass %; Mn: 0.8 to 1.15 mass %; Mg: 0.5 to 0.8 mass %; Zr: 0.05 to 0.13 mass %; and Ti contained in such an amount that a sum of Ti and Zr is 0.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, magnesium, scandium, and an enhancing system. The magnesium is from about 0.5 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The scandium is from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy. The enhancing system is from about 0.05 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight based on the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A high-strength aluminum alloy material having a chemical composition which includes Zn: more than 7.2% (mass %, the same applies hereafter) and 8.7% or less, Mg: 1.3% or more and 2.1% or less, Cu: 0.01% or more and 0.10% or less, Zr: 0.01% or more and 0.10% or less, Cr: less than 0.02%, Fe: 0.30% or less, Si: 0.30% or less, Mn: less than 0.05%, Ti: 0.001% or more and 0.05% or less, the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, is provided. It has a proof stress of 350 MPa or more, and a metallographic structure formed of a recrystallized structure, and L* and b* values, as defined in JIS Z8729 (ISO 7724-1), are 85 or more and 95 or less and 0 or more and 0.8 or less, respectively, as measured after anodization using a sulfuric acid bath.

Abstract: New 2xxx aluminum alloys containing vanadium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy includes 3.3-4.1 wt. % Cu, 0.7-1.3 wt. % Mg, 0.01-0.16 wt. % V, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The new alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as in the T39 or T89 tempers.

Abstract: Aluminum castings having increased elongation and tensile strength are obtained by sequential aging a solutionized casting followed by rapid heating to nucleation temperature followed by rapid cooling, then reheating to precipitate growth temperature.

Abstract: A high-strength aluminum material having a chemical composition which includes Zn: more than 7.2% (mass %, the same applies hereafter) and 8.7% or less, Mg: 1.3% or more and 2.1% or less, Cu: less than 0.50%, Fe: 0.30% or less, Si: 0.30% or less, Mn: less than 0.05%, Cr: 0.20% or less; Zr: less than 0.05%, Ti: 0.001% or more and 0.05% or less, the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, is provided. It has a proof stress of 350 MPa or more, and a metallographic structure formed of a recrystallized structure. The recrystallized structure is comprised of crystal grains having an average particle diameter of 500 ?m or less, and a crystal grain length in a direction parallel to a hot working direction is 0.5 to 4 times as long as a crystal grain length in a direction perpendicular to the hot working direction.

Abstract: There are provided an aluminum alloy forging having high strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion in response to the thinning of automotive underbody parts, and a process for production thereof. The aluminum alloy forging includes an aluminum alloy containing predetermined amounts of Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Zr, and Ti with the balance being composed of Al and inevitable impurities, and having a hydrogen gas concentration of 0.25 ml/100 g of Al. In the aluminum alloy forging mentioned above, the area ratio of Mg2Si having a maximum length of 0.1 ?m or above is 0.15% or below, the recrystallization ratio of the aluminum alloy is 20% or below, and a size distribution index value defined by V/r of dispersed particles of the aluminum alloy (V: the area ratio [%] of the dispersed particles, and r: the average radius [nm] of the dispersed particles) is 0.20 or above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a substantially unrecrystallized rolled aluminum alloy product, obtained from a plate with a thickness of at least 30 mm, comprising 2.2 to 3.9 wt. % Cu, 0.7 to 2.1 wt. % Li, 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Mg, 0.2 to 0.5 wt. % Mn, 0.04 to 0.18 wt. % Zr, less than 0.05 wt. % Zn, and optionally 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % Ag, remainder aluminum and unavoidable impurities having a low propensity to crack branching during L-S a fatigue test. A product of the invention has a crack deviation angle ? of at least 20° under a maximum equivalent stress intensity factor Keff max of 10 MPa ?m for a S-L cracked test sample under a mixed mode I and mode II loading wherein the angle ? between a plane perpendicular to the initial crack direction and the load direction is 75°.

Abstract: A process for tempering large aluminum lithium alloy component parts to achieve high strength capability and resistance to stress corrosion cracking without the need for the prior art step of cold working the alloy components parts. The process achieves the desired material properties by the use of two novel soaking time periods and the use of novel controlled temperature selection at the two respective soaking times as well as carefully controlling the temperature decrease from one soaking time period to the other.

Abstract: A method of accomplishing precipitation hardening of a selected portion of an aluminum panel is disclosed herein. The method includes identifying at least one area of the aluminum panel that experiences thermal stress above a threshold value during a bake cycle, thereby identifying the selected portion. Prior to the bake cycle, the method further includes locally heating the selected portion at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to increase a local yield strength of the selected portion such that the increased local yield strength ranges from 150 MPa to 300 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy forging material having enhanced strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance, and a method of producing the material. An aluminum alloy forging material 1 produced with specified components under specified conditions has an arm portion 2 including a relatively narrow and thick peripheral rib 3 and a thin and relatively wide central web 4 having a thickness of 10 mm or less and having a substantially H-shaped sectional form.

Abstract: An aluminium alloy having high mechanical strength and low quench sensitivity comprising 4.6 to 5.2 wt. % Zn, 2.6 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.2 wt. % Cu, 0.05 to 0.2 wt. % Zr, max. 0.05 wt. % Mn, max. 0.05 wt. % Cr, max. 0.15 wt. % Fe, max. 0.15 wt. % Si, max. 0.10 wt. % Ti and aluminium as the remainder along with production related impurities, individually max. 0.05 wt. %, in total max. 0.15 wt. %. A process for producing plates having a thickness of more than 300 mm for manufacturing moulds for injection-moulding plastics is made up of the following steps: continuous casting the alloy into ingots having a thickness greater than 300 mm, heating the ingots to a temperature of 470 to 490° C. with a max. heating rate of 20° C./h between 170 and 410° C., homogenising the ingots for 10 to 14 h at a temperature of 470 to 490° C., cooling the ingots in still air to an intermediate temperature of 400-410° C., cooling the ingots by means of forced air cooling from the intermediate temperature of 400-410° C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a substance during which an aluminum base alloy is produced that has a content of 5.5 to 13.0% by mass of silicon and a content of magnesium according to formula Mg [% by mass]=1.73×Si [% by mass]+m with m=1.5 to 6.0% by mass of magnesium, and has a copper content ranging from 1.0 to 4.0% by mass. The base alloy is then subjected to at least one hot working and, afterwards, to a heat treatment consisting of solution annealing, quenching and artificial aging. The magnesium is added based on the respectively desired silicon content according to the aforementioned formula. The material obtained by using the inventive method comprises having a low density and a high strength.

Abstract: Improved 5xxx aluminum alloys and products made therefrom are disclosed. The new 5xxx aluminum alloy products may achieve an improved combination of properties due to, for example, the presence of copper. In one embodiment, the new 5xxx aluminum alloy products are able to achieve an improved combination of properties by solution heat treatment.

Abstract: A cast aluminum alloy containing up to about 0.35% by weight chromium is heated to a first elevated temperature to homogenize the casting and dissolve the chromium content in an aluminum-based matrix phase. The alloy is then heated at a lower elevated temperature to cause the precipitation of a portion of the chromium as an aluminum-containing and chromium-containing intermetallic compound. A suitable amount of chromium is retained in solid solution in aluminum. Thus, the concentration of dissolved chromium in an aluminum alloy may be controlled to fall within specified ranges which result in improvements in both the strength and ductility of the alloy. Impurity amounts of iron may also be precipitated as intermetallic particles from the aluminum matrix to enhance the ductility of the aluminum-based alloy.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenization, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.

Abstract: A first step of performing solution treatment to a pipe material of a precipitation-hardening type aluminum alloy of high hardness extruded, a second step of performing spinning work to the solution-treated pipe material, and a third step of performing artificial aging to the spinning-worked pipe material.

Abstract: An Al—Zn—Mg—Cu alloy with improved damage tolerance-strength combination properties. The present invention relates to an aluminium alloy product comprising or consisting essentially of, in weight %, about 6.5 to 9.5 zinc (Zn), about 1.2 to 2.2% magnesium (Mg), about 1.0 to 1.9% copper (Cu), preferable (0.9Mg?0.6)?Cu?(0.9Mg+0.05), about 0 to 0.5% zirconium (Zr), about 0 to 0.7% scandium (Sc), about 0 to 0.4% chromium (Cr), about 0 to 0.3% hafnium (Hf), about 0 to 0.4% titanium (Ti), about 0 to 0.8% manganese (Mn), the balance being aluminium (Al) and other incidental elements. The invention relates also to a method of manufacturing such as alloy.

Abstract: A hot pressing process, particularly for providing metal unions couplings for pneumatic, hydraulic and fluid-operated circuits, and a resulting metal union. The hot pressing process comprising: a step of preheating aluminum alloy bars, a step of pressing the part to be obtained, a thermal hardening treatment, and a thermal treatment for artificial aging. The standard cycle further provides for a step of solubilization of the pressed part, performed between the step of pressing the part to be obtained and the thermal hardening treatment. The alloy preferably comprising (weight percent): Si 0.6-1.4%, Fe 0.7%, Cu 0.2-0.5%, Mn 0.2-1%, Mg 0.6-1.2%, Cr 0.3%, Zn 0.3%, Ti 0.2%, Pb 0.4%, Bi 0.5-1.5%, balance aluminum. The process can include a solutionising step after the pressing step.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of metallurgy, in particular to high strength weldable alloys with low density, of aluminium-copper-lithium system. These alloys can be used in air- and spacecraft engineering. The alloy comprises copper, lithium, zirconium, scandium, silicon, iron, beryllium, and at least one element from the group including magnesium, zinc, manganese, germanium, cerium, yttrium, titanium. A method for fabricating semiproducts is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optimization of recrystallization rates on the fatigue crack growth resistance, in the particular case of a Al—Zn—Cu—Mg plate products, and especially on the evolution of da/dN.

Abstract: In reforming mechanical characteristics of a precipitation hardening type Al alloy casting, the Al alloy casting is subjected to a high temperature/high pressure treatment, then the pressure is reduced while maintaining the temperature of the Al alloy casting, and subsequently the Al alloy casting is subjected to solution treatment, quenching, and aging in this order. According to this method, mechanical characteristics of the casting can be reformed efficiently and economically and there can be obtained a reformed product of good quality.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy material for high-temperature/high-speed molding containing 2.0 to 8.0 mass % of Mg, 0.05 to 1.0 mass % of Mn, 0.01 to 0.3 mass % of Zr, 0.06 to 0.4 mass % of Si and 0.06 to 0.4 mass % of Fe, with the balance being made of aluminum and inevitable impurities; an aluminum alloy material for high-temperature/high-speed molding containing 2.0 to 8.0% of Mg, 0.05 to 1.5% of Mn and 0.05 to 0.4% of Cr, Fe being restricted to 0.4% or less and Si being restricted to 0.4% or less, the grain diameter of a Cr-base intermetallic compound formed by melt-casting being 20 ?m or less, and grains of intermetallic compounds with a grain diameter in the range from 50 to 1,000 nm as Mn-base and Cr-base precipitates being present in a distribution density of 350,000 grains/mm2 or more, the aluminum alloy material being used for high-temperature/high-speed molding by subjecting the alloy material to cooling at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more immediately after molding at a temperature range from 200 to 550° C.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenisation, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.

Abstract: An Al/Cu/Mg/Mn alloy for the production of semi-finished products with high static and dynamic strength properties has the following composition: 0.3–0.7 wt % silicon (Si), max. 0.15 wt. % iron (Fe), 3.5–4.5 wt % copper (Cu), 0.1–0.5 wt. % manganese (Mn), 0.3–0.8 wt. % magnesium (Mg), 0.5–0.15 wt % titanium (Ti), 0.1–0.25 wt % zirconium (Zr), 0.3–0.7 wt. % silver (Ag), max. 0.05 wt. % others individually, max 0.15 wt. % others globally, the remaining wt. % aluminum (Al). The invention further relates to a semi-finished product made for such an alloy and a method of production of a semi-finished product made for such an alloy.

Abstract: A method of making aluminum alloy sheet in a continuous in-line process is provided. A continuously-cast aluminum alloy strip is optionally quenched, hot or warm rolled, annealed or heat-treated in-line, optionally quenched, and preferably coiled, with additional hot, warm or cold rolling steps as needed to reach the desired gauge. The process can be used to make aluminum alloy sheet of T or O temper having the desired properties, in a much shorter processing time.

Abstract: A method to increase the toughness of the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 and similar alloys at cryogenic temperatures above their room temperature toughness is provided. Increasing the cryogenic toughness of the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 allows the use of alloy C458 for cryogenic tanks, for example for launch vehicles in the aerospace industry. A two-step aging treatment for alloy C458 is provided. A specific set of times and temperatures to age the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 to T8 temper is disclosed that results in a higher toughness at cryogenic temperatures compared to room temperature. The disclosed two-step aging treatment for alloy 458 can be easily practiced in the manufacturing process, does not involve impractical heating rates or durations, and does not degrade other material properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a high strength aluminum alloy composition. The alloy composition exhibits high tensile strength at ambient temperatures and cryogenic temperatures. The alloy composition can exhibit high tensile strength while maintaining a high elongation in ambient temperatures and cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: The process is for ageing heat treatment of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy which has alloying elements in solid solution. The process includes holding the alloy at an elevated ageing temperature which is appropriate for ageing the alloy to promote precipitation of at least one solute element, herein termed “primary precipitation” for a period of time which is short relative to a T6 temper. Resultant underaged alloy then is cooled from the ageing temperature to a lower temperature and at a sufficiently rapid rate to substantially arrest the primary precipitation. The cooled alloy then is exposed to an ageing temperature, lower than the elevated ageing temperature for primary precipitation, so as to develop adequate mechanical properties as a function of time, by further solute element precipitation, herein termed “secondary precipitation”.

Abstract: A process is described for producing an aluminum alloy sheet having excellent bendability for use in forming panels for automobiles. An aluminum alloy containing 0.50 to 0.75 by weight Mg, 0.7 to 0.85% by weight Si, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight Fe, 0.15 to 0.35% by weight Mn, and the balance Al and incidental impurities, is used and is semi-continuously cast into ingot. The cast alloy ingot is subjected to hot rolling and cold rolling, followed by solution heat treatment of the formed sheet. The heat treated sheet is quenched to a temperature of about 60–120° C. and the sheet is then coiled. This coil is then pre-aged by slowly cooling the coil from an initial temperature of about 60–120° C. to room temperature at a cooling rate of less than 10° C./hr.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high strength balanced Al—Mg—Si alloy with an improved fatigue crack growth resistance and a low amount of intermetallics, comprising the steps of a) casting an ingot with the following composition (in weight percent) Si: 0.75–1.3, Cu: 0.6–1.1, Mn: 0.2–0.8, Mg: 0.45–0.95, Fe: 0.01–0.3, Zr: <0.25, Cr: <0.25, Zn: <0.35, Ti: <0.25, impurities each less than 0.05 and less than 0.20 in total, balance aluminum, b) optional homogenization of the cast ingot, c) pre-heating the ingot after casting for 4 to 30 hours with temperatures above 520° C., d) hot working the ingot and optionally cold working, e) solution heat treating, and f) quenching the worked product. The pre-heating is preferably performed for 6 to 18 hours with temperatures between 530° C. and 560° C. The alloy has a fatigue crack growth rate at ?K=20 MPa?m of below 9.0E?04 and at ?K=40 MPa?m of below 9.

Abstract: An aluminum based alloy having a composition within the following ranges, all of the ranges being in weight percent: lithium 2.0 to 2.8, magnesium 0.4 to 1.0, copper 2.0 to 3.0, manganese 0.7 to 1.2, zirconium up to 0.2 and the balance aluminum, save for incidental impurities and up to 2.0 in total of one or more grain controlling elements to provide microstructural optimization and control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a suitably formable condition and further to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The method utilizes a combination of hot air convection heating and infrared radiation to rapidly accomplish the heating. High temperature infrared heating elements provide most of the energy during an initial high heating rate phase and then those elements are shut off and heating is completed with controlled temperature hot air to prevent overheating of the sheet metal.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a DC cast alloy of composition (in wt %): Fe 0.8-1.5 Si 0.7-0.95 Mn 0.2-0.5 Zn 0.2-0.8 Mg up to 0.2 Cu up to 0.2 Ti<0.1 B<0.01 C<0.01. Unavoidable impurities up to 0.05 each, 0.15 total AI balance. Also disclosed is a method of DC casting the alloy to form an ingot.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenisation, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.

Abstract: A process is described for producing an aluminum alloy sheet having excellent bendability for use in forming panels for automobiles. An aluminum alloy containing 0.50 to 0.75 by weight Mg, 0.7 to 0.85% by weight Si, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight Fe, 0.15 to 0.35% by weight Mn, and the balance Al and incidental impurities, is used and is semi-continuously cast into ingot. The cast alloy ingot is subjected to hot rolling and cold rolling, followed by solution heat treatment of the formed sheet. The heat treated sheet is quenched to a temperature of about 60-120° C. and the sheet is then coiled. This coil is then pre-aged by slowly cooling the coil from an initial temperature of about 60-120° C. to room temperature at a cooling rate of less than 10° C./hr.

Abstract: A precipitation hardened structural assembly is provided, including a first structural member and a second structural member positioned adjacent to the first structural member such that the first and second structural members define an interface therebetween. At least one friction stir weld joint joins the first structural member to the second structural member at least partially along the interface. The first and second structural members and the friction stir weld joint are solution heat treated at a first predetermined temperature schedule and precipitation heat treated at a second predetermined temperature schedule and wherein the friction stir weld joint comprises a refined grain structure having grain size of less than about 5 microns.

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.

Abstract: A monolithic container having a bottom wall, a sidewall interconnected to the bottom wall and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom to define an open end of the monolithic container at an upper edge of the sidewall, the sidewall having a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the upper edge. The monolithic container formed from an aluminum alloy feedstock comprising: from about 0.05 to 0.55% by weight silicon, from 0.10 to about 0.50% by weight iron, from less than about 0.60% by weight copper, from about less than about 0.4% by weight manganese, from about 0.9 to about 1.8% by weight magnesium, with the balance being aluminum and impurities.

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.

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.

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.