With Working Patents (Class 148/695)
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Patent number: 11939655Abstract: The invention concerns a method for improving aluminium alloy blank tensile yield stress and formability comprising the successive steps of: providing a 6xxx series aluminium alloy slab; optionally homogenizing the slab; hot rolling and optionally cold rolling the slab to obtain a sheet; solution heat treating and quenching the sheet; cold rolling the sheet with at least 20% cold work reduction; cutting the sheet into blanks; flash annealing a portion of the flange of the blanks at a temperature between 360° C. and 480° C. for a time sufficient to obtain recrystallization of the portion of the flange and cool to a temperature of less than 100° C. The improved blanks and the stamped product and painted stamped products obtained by the method of the invention are particularly useful for automotive applications because of their high strength.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: CONSTELLIUM NEUF-BRISACHInventors: Sabine Philippe, Jack Franklin
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Patent number: 11807917Abstract: An aluminum alloy wire, more specifically an aluminum-scandium wire, is adapted for an additive processing operation. A spool of material, containing an aluminum alloy wire, and a method of performing an additive processing operation, using an aluminum alloy wire, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INCInventors: Wen-Qing Xu, Shailesh Patkar, Xiaoming Li, Di Lan, Stephen P. Rummel
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Patent number: 11773476Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a motor vehicle component from a 6000-series aluminum alloy having the following method steps: providing a blank made of a 6000-series aluminum alloy, rapid heating of the blank by means of contact plates to a temperature between 450° C. and 600° C. in a time less than 20 seconds, ending of the heating procedure and optional homogenizing when a grain size between 20 and 50 ?m has resulted, quenching the blank thus tempered to a temperature less than or equal to 100° C., in a time less than 20 seconds, wherein the rapid heating and quenching of the blank is carried out in a total time of less than 50 seconds, applying a lubricant, at 20° C. to 100° C., forming the cooled blank in a forming tool, wherein the time between beginning the rapid heating and beginning the forming is less than 45 seconds, aging.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Jochem Grewe, Feng Jiao
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Patent number: 11746403Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle component from a 6000 series aluminum alloy including providing a blank made of a 6000 series aluminum alloy, rapid heating of the blank to a temperature between 450 deg. C. and 600 deg. C. at a heating rate of more than 15 K/s in a period of less than 20 seconds, ending the heating process and optionally homogenizing, if a grain size between 20 and 50 ?m has been produced, quenching the blank thus tempered, applying a lubricant, preferably at 20 deg. C. to 100 deg. C., forming the cooled blank in a forming tool, wherein the time between completion of the heating process and the start of the forming is less than 30 seconds, and aging.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GmbHInventors: Jochem Grewe, Feng Jiao, Friedrich Bohner, Jörn Tölle, Nikolay Soritov
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Patent number: 11697151Abstract: New shape-cast 7xx aluminum alloys products are disclosed. The new shape-cast products may include from 3.0 to 8.0 wt. % Zn, from 1.0 to 3.0 wt. % Mg, where the wt. % Zn exceeds the wt. % Mg, from 0.35 to 1.0 wt. % Cu, where the wt. % Mg exceeds the wt. % Cu, from 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % V, from 0.01 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element (Mn, Cr, Zr, Ti, B, and combinations thereof), up to 0.50 wt. % Fe, and up to 0.25 wt. % Si, the balance being aluminum and other elements, wherein the aluminum casting alloy include not greater than 0.05 wt. % each of the other elements, and wherein the aluminum casting alloy includes not greater than 0.15 wt. % in total of the other elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Eider Simielli, Jen C. Lin, Wenping Zhang, James Daniel Bryant
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Patent number: 11674204Abstract: Some variations provide an aluminum alloy feedstock for additive manufacturing, the aluminum alloy feedstock comprising from 81.5 wt % to 88.8 wt % aluminum; from 1.1 wt % to 2.1 wt % copper; from 3.0 wt % to 4.6 wt % magnesium; and from 7.1 wt % to 9.0 wt % zinc. The aluminum alloy feedstock may be in the form of a free-flowing powder or a feedstock ingot, for example. In some variations, the aluminum alloy feedstock comprises from 84.9 wt % to 88.3 wt % aluminum; from 1.2 wt % to 2.0 wt % copper; from 3.2 wt % to 4.4 wt % magnesium; and from 7.3 wt % to 8.7 wt % zinc.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: John H. Martin, Brennan D. Yahata
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Patent number: 11667994Abstract: The invention concerns a process to manufacture a flat-rolled product, notably for the aeronautic industry containing aluminum alloy, in which, notably a flattening and/or stretching is performed with a cumulated deformation of at least 0.5% and less than 3%, and a short heat-treatment is performed in which the sheet reaches a temperature between 130° C. and 170° C. for a period of 0.1 to 13 hours. The invention notably makes it possible to simplify the forming process of fuselage skins and to improve the balance between static mechanical strength properties and damage tolerance properties.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: CONSTELLIUM ISSOIREInventors: Frank Eberl, Bernard Bes
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Patent number: 11572611Abstract: Described are processes for shaping age hardenable aluminum alloys, such as 2XXX, 6XXX and 7XXX aluminum alloys in T4 temper, or articles made of such alloys, including aluminum alloy sheets. The processes involve heating the sheet or article before and/or concurrently with a forming step. In some examples, the sheet is heated to a specified temperature in the range of about 100-600° C. at a specified heating rate within the range of about 3-600° C./s, for example about 3-90° C./s. Such a combination of temperature and heating rate results in an advantageous combination of sheet properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Novelis Inc.Inventors: Corrado Bassi, Etienne Combaz, Aude Despois, Pasquier Romain, Maude Fumeaux, Julie Richard
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Patent number: 11447851Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Arconic Technologies LLCInventors: James Daniel Bryant, Colleen E. Weller, Dirk C. Mooy, Zachariah D. Meissen
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Patent number: 11421311Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a high strength aluminum alloy. The method comprises heating an aluminum material to a solutionizing temperature for a solutionizing time such that the magnesium and zinc are dispersed throughout the extruded aluminum material to form a solutionized aluminum material. The method includes quenching the solutionized aluminum material to form a quenched aluminum material. The method also includes aging the quenched aluminum material to form an aluminum alloy, then subjecting the aluminum alloy to an ECAE process to form a high strength aluminum alloy.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Stephane Ferrasse, Wayne D. Meyer, Frank C. Alford, Marc D. Ruggiero, Patrick K. Underwood, Susan D. Strothers
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Patent number: 11015235Abstract: A method for producing an aluminum alloy member includes an extrusion step for subjecting an aluminum (Al) alloy which contains from 1.6% by mass to 2.6% by mass (inclusive) of magnesium (Mg), from 6.0% by mass to 7.0% by mass (inclusive) of zinc (Zn), 0.5% by mass or less of copper (Cu), from 0.01% by mass to 0.05% by mass (inclusive) of titanium (Ti) with the balance made up of aluminum (Al) and unavoidable impurities to hot extrusion. The method further includes a cooling step for cooling the aluminum alloy after the extrusion. The method further includes a strain processing step for introducing strain that miniaturizes precipitates precipitated in the crystal grains of the aluminum alloy after the cooling. The method further includes an aging step for aging the aluminum alloy by heating.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Akiko Inoue, Takayuki Takahashi, Hiroaki Sato
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Patent number: 10968501Abstract: The invention concerns a process to manufacture a flat-rolled product, notably for the aeronautic industry containing aluminum alloy, in which, notably a flattening and/or stretching is performed with a cumulated deformation of at least 0.5% and less than 3% and a short heat-treatment is performed in which the sheet reaches a temperature between 130° C. and 170° C. for a period of 0.1 to 13 hours. The invention notably makes it possible to simplify the forming process of fuselage skins and to improve the balance between static mechanical strength properties and damage tolerance properties.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: CONSTELLIUM FRANCEInventors: Frank Eberl, Bernard Bes
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Patent number: 10876190Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a component (40) from an alloy sheet of material (30) having at least a Solvus temperature and a Solidus temperature of a precipitation hardening phase, the method comprising the steps of: heating the sheet (30) to above its Solvus temperature; initiating forming the heated sheet (30) between matched tools (32, 34) of a die press and forming by means of plastic deformation towards a final shape whilst allowing the average temperature of the sheet (30) to reduce at a first predetermined rate A; interrupting the forming of the sheet for a predetermined first interruption period P1 prior to achieving said final shape; and, during the interrupt holding the sheet of material with reduced or no deformation and allowing the average temperature of the sheet to reduce at a second predetermined rate B lower than or equal to the first predetermined rate in order to allow for a reduction in dislocations and completing the forming of the heated sheet into the final shapeType: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: IMPRESSION TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventor: Alistair Foster
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Patent number: 10710366Abstract: Provided herein are a jet hole plate, a liquid jet head, and a liquid jet recording apparatus that can achieve a long life. A jet hole plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a jet hole plate for use in a liquid jet head. The jet hole plate includes a metal substrate provided with a plurality of jet holes. In the metal substrate, an average crystal grain size in outlet edges of the jet holes is smaller than that in surrounding regions around the outlet edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: SII Printek Inc.Inventors: Masakazu Hirata, Kenji Takano, Emiko Osaka
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Patent number: 10384252Abstract: Methods suitable for forming complex parts from work-hardened sheet materials of limited formability are described. The formability of the work-hardened sheet is enhanced by forming at elevated temperature. The forming temperature is preferably selected to minimally undo the effects of work hardening so that the formed part is of higher strength than a like part formed from an annealed sheet. The method is applicable to age-hardening and non-age-hardening aluminum and magnesium alloys.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Anil K. Sachdev, John T. Carter, Raja K. Mishra, John E. Carsley
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Patent number: 10343726Abstract: A method of manufacturing a formed aluminum alloy automotive structural part or a body-in-white (BIW) part of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: providing a rolled aluminum alloy bare or composite sheet product having a gauge of about 0.5 mm to 4 mm, wherein the sheet product includes at least one layer an AA7xxx-series aluminum alloy, the sheet product having been subjected to solution heat treatment and quenching followed by at least 1 day of natural ageing; subjecting the naturally aged sheet product to reversion annealing treatment, namely a heat treatment at a temperature between 100° C. and 350° C. during 0.1 to 60 seconds; optionally subjecting the heated sheet product to forced cooling operation; within 2 hours, preferably within 30 minutes, from the reversion annealing treatment, forming the sheet product to obtain a three-dimensionally formed automotive structural part or body-in-white (BIW) part.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: ALERIS ALUMINUM DUFFEL BVBAInventors: Axel Alexander Maria Smeyers, Sunil Khosla
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Patent number: 9938613Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle component is disclosed having the steps of providing a strain-hardened blank composed of a 5000 grade aluminum alloy, partially heating the blank in a first region to a temperature higher than 350° C., in particular to 400° C., the blank being kept at a temperature between 15° C. and 30° C., preferably at 20° C., in a second region, and the partial heating being performed in less than 20 s, preferably less than 10 s and in particular in 2 to 5 s, adjusting the temperature of the blank as a whole to between 150 and 350° C. in less than 20 s, preferably less than 10 s and in particular in 2 to 5 s, and deforming the blank to form the motor vehicle component in less than 20 s, preferably less than 10 s and in particular in 2 to 5 s, and cooling the motor vehicle component.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Friedrich Bohner, Jochen Doerr, Jochem Grewe, Christian Hielscher, Joern Toelle, Boris Rauscher
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Patent number: 9821859Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle component is disclosed having the steps of providing a strain-hardened blank composed of a 5000 grade aluminum alloy, partially heating the blank in a first region to a temperature higher than 350° C., in particular higher than 400° C., and in a second region to a temperature between 150° C. and 350° C., preferably to 300° C., in less than 20 s, preferably less than 10 s and in particular in 2 to 5 s, and transferring the blank into a cooling tool, and performing cooling in less than 20 s, preferably less than 10 s and in particular in 2 to 5 s.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Friedrich Bohner, Jochen Doerr, Jochem Grewe, Christian Hielscher, Joern Toelle, Boris Rauscher
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Patent number: 9719161Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle component includes the steps of providing a precipitation-hardenable blank composed of a 6000 or 7000 grade aluminum alloy, solution-annealing the blank at a temperature between 350° C. and 550° C. for a time period of 2 to 30 min., in particular 3 to 20 min. and preferably 5 to 15 min., in particular at a temperature between 440° C. and 480° C. in the case of a 7000 grade aluminum alloy, and in particular at a temperature between 490° C. and 545° C. in the case of a 6000 grade aluminum alloy, subjecting the solution-annealed blank to partially different quenching, a first region being quenched to a temperature between 150° C. and 250° C., and a further region being quenched to a temperature below 150° C., deforming the blank during or after the partially different quenching.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Friedrich Bohner, Jochen Doerr, Jochem Grewe, Christian Hielscher, Joern Toelle, Boris Rauscher
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Patent number: 9217622Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Dirk C. Mooy, Roberto J. Rioja, Ralph R. Sawtell, Francine S. Bovard, Gregory B. Venema, David A. Linde
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Publication number: 20150001826Abstract: An L-shape vehicular suspension arm includes a unitary body forged from an aluminum alloy. The unitary body includes a web and ribs. The web is substantially planar, and the ribs extend from surfaces of the web at peripheral edges of the web. In cross-section, at least one part of the unitary body has a U-shape, an H-shape, or an inverted U-shape, such that dimensions of the unitary body satisfy expression (1) or (2): 0.05?(H?Hr)/Hr?0.25??(1) 4?(H?Hr)/Hr?19??(2) where H is a total height of the unitary body, and Hr is a height from a center of the web to a lowermost point of the unitary body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventor: Hiroaki HOSOI
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Publication number: 20140367000Abstract: New Al—Li alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new Al—Li alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new Al—Li alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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Publication number: 20140353028Abstract: Methods for forming aluminum enclosures for consumer products are described. Included are methods for forming features, such as brackets or supports for supporting one or more internal components of the consumer product. In some embodiments, methods involve shaping integral features into the aluminum enclosures. In some embodiments, methods involve molding resinous or plastic features onto the aluminum enclosures. Some methods involve one or more of an extrusion, rolling, stamping, bending, forging and other shaping techniques. Some methods involve a metal softening technique such as an annealing process. Some methods involve post-shaping treatments including one or more of an impurity removal process, hardening process and surface finishing process. Some embodiments involve forming nano-pores in aluminum enclosures and inserts to enhance bonding of plastic features to the aluminum enclosures and inserts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Wey-Jiun Lin
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Publication number: 20140230974Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: ALCOA INC.Inventors: Jen C. Lin, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Rajeev G. Kamat, Darl G. Boysel, Gary H. Bray, James Daniel Bryant, Brett P. Connor, Mario Greco, Gino Norman Iasella, David J. McNeish, Shawn J. Murtha, Roberto J. Rioja, Shawn P. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20140209222Abstract: An aluminum alloy member resistant to cracking and having high strengths and excellent stress corrosion cracking resistance is manufactured by expanding a 7xxx aluminum alloy hollow extrusion at a rate of 5% or more. Specifically, a 7xxx aluminum alloy hollow extrusion containing Zn of 3.0-9.5%, Mg of 0.4-2.5%, Cu of 0.05-2.0%, and Ti of 0.005-0.2%, in mass percent, and prepared through press quenching is subjected to a reversion treatment, to pipe expansion within 72 hours after the reversion treatment, and to temper aging. The reversion treatment includes heating at a temperature rise rate of 0.4° C./second or more, holding in a temperature range of 200-550° C. for longer than 0 second, and cooling at a rate of 0.5° C./second or more. The ratio Y (?rs/?0.2) of the tensile residual stress ?rs to the 0.2% yield stress ?0.2 after temper aging and the total content X of Mg and Zn satisfy Expression (1): Y??0.1X+1.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Takahiro SHIKAMA, Shinji Yoshihara
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Publication number: 20140137995Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Jen C. Lin, Ralph R. Sawtell, Gary H. Bray, Cindie Giummarra, Andre Wilson, Gregory B. Venema
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Publication number: 20140069557Abstract: A method of manufacturing a formed aluminium alloy body-in-white (“BIW”) part of a motor vehicle, the BIW part having a yield strength of more than 500 MPa after being subjected to a paint-bake cycle. The method includes providing a rolled aluminium sheet product of an AlZnMgCu alloy and having a gauge in a range of 0.5 to 4 mm and subjected to a solution heat treatment (SHT) and quenched following SHT, and wherein the SHT and quenched aluminium sheet product has a substantially recrystallized microstructure, forming the aluminium alloy sheet to obtain a formed BIW part, assembling the formed BIW part with one or more other metal parts to form an assembly forming a motor vehicle component, subjecting the motor vehicle component to a paint bake cycle, wherein the aluminium alloy sheet in the formed BIW part has a yield strength of more than 500 MPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicants: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH, Aleris Aluminum Duffel BVBAInventors: Axel Alexander Maria SMEYERS, SR., Bruno SCHEPERS, SR., Sabine Maria SPANGEL, Alastair WISE, Ingo Günther Kröpfl, Sunil KHOSLA
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Publication number: 20140053959Abstract: A heat treatment process of high-Mg Er-containing aluminum alloy cold-rolled plates resistant to intergranular corrosion is disclosed, which belongs to the field of non-ferrous metals. The mass percentage of each component of high-Mg Er-containing aluminum alloy heat-rolled plates is, respectively, 5.8%-6.8% of Mg, 0.4%-0.8% of Mn, 0.15%-0.25% of Er, 0.15%-0.25% of Zr, the unavoidable impurities content being less than 4%, the balance being Al. The alloy hot-rolled plates are cold-rolled until the final cold deformation being 75%-90% after the intermediate annealing; the aluminum alloy cold-rolled plates undergo a stabilization annealing at the annealing temperature of 235° C. to 245° C. for 3.5-4 hours, and then is cooled in air to room temperature. This process significantly improves the resistance to intergranular corrosion while it does not reduce the strength of the alloy significantly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Zuoren Nie, Kunyuan Gao, Shengping Wen, Hui Huang, Rui Shao
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Publication number: 20130312881Abstract: A method of producing a shaped aluminium alloy panel, preferably for aerospace or automotive applications, from 5000-series alloy sheet. The method includes: providing a sheet made of 5000-series alloy having a thickness of about 0.05 to 10 mm and a length in the longest dimension of at least 800 mm; and stretch forming the sheet at a forming temperature between ?100° C. and ?25° C., to obtain a shaped aluminium alloy panel. A shaped article formed by the above method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: ALERIS ROLLED PRODUCTS GERMANY GMBHInventors: Arjen Kamp, Sabine Maria Spangel
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Patent number: 8551267Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy sputter targets and methods of making same are provided. The pure aluminum or aluminum alloy is mechanically worked to produce a circular blank, and then the blank is given a recrystallization anneal to achieve desirable grain size and crystallographic texture. A 10-50% additional strain is provided to the blank step after the annealing to increase the mechanical strength. Further, in a flange area of the target, the strain is greater than in the other target areas with the strain in the flange area being imparted at a rate of about 20-60% strain. The blank is then finished to form a sputtering target with desirable crystallographic texture and adequate mechanical strength.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Tosoh SMD, Inc.Inventors: Weifang Miao, David B. Smathers, Robert S. Bailey
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Publication number: 20130230366Abstract: By changing the timing of applying a heat treatment, a high-strength aluminum based alloy-made fastening part having an unprecedented tensile strength or other strength property and a method for manufacturing of the same are provided. The method is characterized in that an aluminum based alloy-made material is subjected to a solution treatment and is then age-hardened; work hardening is further applied to a shaft portion by drawing thereof in a heading process; and the shaft portion is thereafter subjected to a process of rolling male threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Topura Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kouhei Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8500926Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignees: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal CorporationInventors: Koji Ichitani, Tsutomu Tagata, Toshio Komatsubara, Ken Takata
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Patent number: 8496764Abstract: A system and a method of processing an F-temper aluminum alloy. An F-temper aluminum alloy blank may be heated and positioned in the die set such that the blank does not touch the die set. The blank may be formed into a part and quenched when the die set is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: George S. Luckey, Peter A. Friedman, Yingbing Luo, Rosa Lynda Nuno, Nia R Harrison, Ronald P. Cooper
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Publication number: 20130127197Abstract: A motor vehicle sheet metal molding of the invention is produced by hot forming from a metal sheet composed of an aluminum alloy which cannot be precipitation hardened, which sheet is in the material state H12, H14, H16, H18, H19, H22, H24, H26, H28, H32, H34, H36 or H38 in accordance with the European standard EN515:1993 and contains at least magnesium and optionally manganese in addition to aluminum as alloy component. The motor vehicle sheet metal molding after forming has, at least locally, degrees of deformation which are above the forming limit curve of the aluminum alloy at room temperature. To produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding, the metal sheet is heated at least locally to a temperature in the range from 200° C. to 400° C. over a period of from 1 to 60 seconds. The heated metal sheet is subsequently placed in a forming tool of a forming press and formed to produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Holger Diersmann, Jochen Dörr, Jochem Grewe, Andreas Hitz
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Patent number: 8425698Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet having excellent press formability and stress corrosion cracking resistance, comprises 3.3 to 3.6 percent by weight of Mg and 0.1 to 0.2 percent by weight of Mn, furthermore, 0.05 to 0.3 percent by weight of Fe and 0.05 to 0.15 percent by weight of Si, and the remainder comprises Al and incidental impurities, wherein the sizes of intermetallic compounds is 5 ?m or less, the recrystallized grain size is 15 ?m or less in the region at a depth of 10 to 30 ?m below the sheet surface, and the surface roughness is Ra 0.2 to 0.7 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd, Novelis Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Pizhi Zhao, Toshiya Anami, Ichiro Okamoto, Hitoshi Kazama, Kunihiro Yasunaga, Noboru Hayashi, Kevin Gatenby, Mark Gallerneault, Simon Barker
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Patent number: 8366846Abstract: Disclosed is an Al—Mg—Si aluminum alloy sheet that can prevent ridging marks during press forming and has good reproducibility even with stricter fabricating conditions. In an Al—Mg—Si aluminum alloy sheet of a specific composition, hot rolling is performed on the basis of a set relationship between the rolling start temperature Ts and the rolling finish temperature Tf° C., whereby the relationship of the cube orientation distribution profile in the horizontal direction of the sheet with the cube orientation alone or another crystal orientation distribution profile at various locations in the depth direction of the sheet is made more uniform, suppressing the appearance of ridging marks that develop during sheet press forming.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Takaki, Takeo Sakurai, Kwangjin Lee
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Patent number: 8323428Abstract: Dispersion strengthened aluminum base alloys are shaped into metal parts by high strain rate forging compacts or extruded billets composed thereof. The number of process steps required to produce the forged part are decreased and strength and toughness of the parts are increased. The dispersion strengthened alloy may have the formula Albal,Fea,SibXc, wherein X is at least one element selected from Mn, V, Cr, Mo, W, Nb, and Ta, “a” ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 weight-%, “b” ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, “c” ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 weight-%, and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities. Alternatively, the dispersion strengthened alloy may be described by the formula Albal,Fea,SibVdXc, wherein X is at least one element selected from Mn, Mo, W, Cr, Ta, Zr, Ce, Er, Sc, Nd, Yb, and Y, “a” ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 weight-%, “b” ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 weight-%, “d” ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 weight-%, “c” ranges from 0.02 to 1.50 weight-%, and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Chipko, Derek Raybould
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Publication number: 20120273098Abstract: A method for producing a structural sheet metal component formed from an aluminum alloy for a motor vehicle includes providing an aluminum sheet blank in a state T4 or T5 or T6 or T7, heating the aluminum sheet blank to a heating temperature between 100° C. and 450° C., forming the aluminum sheet blank to a structural sheet metal component, and heat post-treatment of the formed structural sheet metal component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Friedrich Bohner, Jochen Dörr, Jochem Grewe
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Publication number: 20120261039Abstract: It has been commonly believed that very thick gauge high strength aluminum alloy product such as AA2139 plate cannot be formed to the required sharp angles to form the highly protective underbody armor for the MRAP vehicles. The present process and method of manufacture provides a means for strategically combining the metallurgical process of manufacturing high strength aluminum alloys and the forming process of V shaped hull to improve the formability of the very thick gauge high strength alloy product so much that even the very thick gauge (thicker than 1 inch) plate can be formed to severe forming angles. This combined process allowed successful manufacturing of high performance V shaped hulls for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventor: Alex Cho
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Patent number: 8273196Abstract: An Al—Mg—Si based aluminum alloy sheet having undergone normal-temperature aging (or being in a underaged state) after a solution treatment thereof is, before press forming, subjected to a heating treatment (partial reversion heating treatment) in which the alloy sheet is partially heated to a temperature in the range of 150 to 350° C. for a time of not more than 5 minutes so that the difference in strength (difference in 0.2% proof stress) between the heated part and the non-heated part will be not less than 10 MPa. The alloy sheet thus treated is subjected to cold press forming in the condition where the heated part with low strength is put in contact with a wrinkle holding-down appliance of the press and the non-heated part with high strength is put in contact with the shoulder part (radius) of the punch. In the partial reversion heating treatment, the temperature rise rate and the cooling rate in cooling down to 100° C. or below are set to be not less than 30° C./min.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp.Inventors: Akira Hibino, Koji Ichitani
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Publication number: 20120193001Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an aluminum-based anode, including at least one alloying element, prepared using solid solution heat treatment, in addition to plastic deformation, artificial aging, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Ernst KHASIN, Arie ZABAN
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Publication number: 20120152416Abstract: The method relates to a method of forming an Al-alloy sheet component. The method comprises heating an Al-alloy sheet blank to its Solution Heat Treatment temperature at a heating station and, in the case of alloys not in a pre age hardened temper, maintaining the SHT temperature until Solution Heat Treatment is complete. The sheet blank is then transferred to a set of cold dies and forming is initiated within 10 s of removal from the heating station so that heat loss from the sheet blank is minimised. The cold dies are closed to form the sheet blank into a shaped component, said forming occurring in less than 0.15S, and the formed component is held in the closed dies during cooling of the formed component. The claimed method will find application for any Aluminium alloy with a microstructure and mechanical properties that can be usefully modified by solution treatment and age-hardening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Alistair Foster, Trevor A. Dean, Jianguo Lin
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Patent number: 8157934Abstract: A wear-resistant aluminum alloy material excellent in workability and wear-resistance is provided. A wear-resistant aluminum alloy material excellent in workability includes Si: 13 to 15 mass %, Cu: 5.5 to 9 mass %, Mg: 0.2 to 1 mass %, Ni: 0.5 to 1 mass %, P: 0.003 to 0.03 mass %, and the balance being Al and inevitable impurities. An average particle diameter of primary Si particles is 10 to 30 ?m, an area occupancy rate of the primary Si particles in cross-section is 3 to 12%, an average particle diameter of intermetallic compounds is 1.5 to 8 ?m, and an area occupancy rate of the intermetallic compounds in cross-section is 4 to 12%.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
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Publication number: 20120085470Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: ENGINEERED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS COMPANY, LLCInventor: Vladimir M. Segal
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Publication number: 20120055590Abstract: New Al—Li alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new Al—Li alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new Al—Li alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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Publication number: 20120055591Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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Publication number: 20120055588Abstract: New 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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Publication number: 20120055589Abstract: New 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 2xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John M. Newman, Ralph R. Sawtell, Jen C. Lin
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Publication number: 20120042995Abstract: This relates to a method of the manufacture of a thick gauge aluminum alloy plate having reduced level of residual stress. The method includes (a) providing a solution heat-treated and quenched aluminum alloy plate having a thickness of at least 80 mm, (b) stress-relieving the plate by cold rolling the plate to achieve a reduction in the thickness direction of the plate product in a range of at most 8%.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: Ingo Günther Kröpfl, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
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Publication number: 20110253272Abstract: A method for manufacturing a safety vent on a cover of a lithium-ion battery has punching the cover to form an annular recess and the cover made of aluminum alloy; heating the annular recess to a temperature between 200° C.˜500° C.; cooling the annular recess; and obtaining the safety vent on the cover of the lithium-ion battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: RESIN ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.Inventor: Ching-Chih Wang