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 method for the continuous manufacturing of complex cast articles utilizing one or more fluidized beds for heat treatment and aging purposes is herein disclosed. The inventive method contemplates in-line casting, heat treating, quenching, aging and machining of a complex cast aluminum alloy article, such as an engine block or engine block head. Specific advantages of the heat treatment and aging stops of the method of the present invention are herein disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of heat treating an aluminum alloy member having a main surface, including the steps of (a) subjecting the member to a solution heat treatment (b) quenching the member and (c) reheating the member in a pre-ageing heat treatment step. The pre-ageing heat treatment is conducted by holding the aluminum alloy member close to a heating plate. Also disclosed is a product produced according to this method, and to an apparatus for performing the pre-ageing heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of a casting produced by high pressure die casting, that may exhibit blister forming porosity in the as-cast condition, of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy, includes solution treating the casting by heating the casting to and within a temperature range enabling solute elements to be taken into solid solution. The casting then is cooled to terminate the solution treatment by quenching the casting to a temperature below 100° C. The cooled casting is held in a temperature range enabling natural and/or artificial ageing. The solution treatment is conducted to achieve a level of solute element solution enabling age-hardening without expansion of pores in the casting causing unacceptable blistering of the casting.

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: The invention relates to the manufacture of tanks from one ore more metal plates using a friction stir welding process The metal plate or plates is first formed into a tubular shape with one pair of opposite edges facing one another to form a longitudinal joint line, the opposite edges then being friction stir welded together. At least a part of the friction stir welded region is cold worked and subsequently the tube is heat treated at a temperature above the recrystallisation temperature.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nanostructured aluminum alloy involves heating an aluminum alloy workpiece at temperature sufficient to produce a single phase coarse grained aluminum alloy, then refining the grain size of the workpiece at a temperature at or below room temperature, and then aging the workpiece to precipitate second phase particles in the nanosized grains of the workpiece that increase the ductility without decreasing the strength of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Al—Mg—Si alloy sheet in which the production of ridging marks during press forming is noticeably inhibited, and in addition, provides a manufacturing method capable of providing such an aluminum alloy sheet, and an intermediate material in the manufacture thereof. The Al—Mg—Si alloy sheet in accordance with the present invention is characterized by having a prescribed composition, and characterized in that respective textures are present therein with a good balance. Further, in accordance with the manufacturing method, and the intermediate material in the manufacture thereof of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture the alloy with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming complex structures from aluminum alloys, particularly from naturally hard AlMg alloys, naturally hard AlMgSc alloys and/or age-hardenable AlMgLi alloys. The method, in a simple manner by means of as few process steps as possible, forms complex structures from the alloys such that they almost assume their final shape without any significant spring-back. Simultaneously, the loss of material is to be kept as low as possible. This is achieved by means of the following steps: elastic forming of a component to be formed into a defined contour under the effect of external force; and heating-up of the elastically formed component to a temperature higher than the temperature required for a creep formation and relaxation of stresses of the alloy, so that the component is formed while retaining the contour.

Abstract: A process for thermally treating an article made from an alloy comprising at least aluminum and copper. The process comprises solid solution heat treating the article, quenching the article, heating the article to a first temperature of from about 275 to about 340° F. and artificially aging. The article is artificially aged at the first temperature for a duration of at least 30 minutes. The article is artificially aged at a second temperature of from about 325 to about 380° F. for a duration of from about 4 hours to about 36 hours. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature by at least 10° F.

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 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: 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: A heat-treatment apparatus including a first furnace for heat treatment and solution treatment of a work piece, and a second furnace for heat treatment and aging treatment of a work piece, wherein each furnace includes a dispersion tube cantilevered and immersed within a fluidized bed, the tube for blowing hot air into the fluidized bed. The first furnace includes a heat exchanger for recovering waste heat from gases discharged the first furnace for use as a heat source for the second furnace.

Abstract: A method of artificially aging an aluminum alloy product to achieve a property in the product having the steps of aging the product to achieve the property by heating the product over an aging period, the aging period including a time period where the product is in an underaged state, and terminating the heating when the property is achieved according to a mathematical formula. The property is calculated as a function of time and product temperature measured over the aging period. Calculation of the property includes integration of the thermal effects on the product over the entire aging period including during the time period of underaged product state.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.

Abstract: A process for thermally treating an article made from an alloy comprising at least aluminum and copper. The process comprises solid solution heat treating the article, quenching the article, heating the article to a first temperature of from about 275 to about 340° F. and artificially aging. The article is artificially aged at the first temperature for a duration of at least 30 minutes. The article is artificially aged at a second temperature of from about 325 to about 380° F. for a duration of from about 4 hours to about 36 hours. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature by at least 10° F.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al—Si—Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

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: A non-Cu-based cast Al alloy contains substantially no Cu, and has a tensile strength of 305 MPa or more, a 0.2% yield strength of 220 MPa or more, and an elongation of 10% or more. In the heat treatment of the cast Al alloy, the solution treatment is performed using a fluidized bed 18, and the solution treatment is performed by rapid heating up to the solution treatment temperature in 30 minutes, and maintaining the solution treatment temperature in 3 hours or less. Because this method for heat treatment performs solution treatment at an increased speed of heating-up time, with small deviation of temperature, and at a higher temperature, total time for heat treatment can be shortened drastically in comparison with the conventional method. A non-Cu-based cast Al alloy having well-balanced mechanical properties of tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation can be provided.

Abstract: A method for forming splines on a metallic tube by providing a metallic tube having a known hardness corresponding to T4 temper (10); heating the metallic tube to a temperature sufficient to remove the T4 temper (14); quenching the metallic tube (20); forming splines on the metallic tube (30); and artificially aging the metallic tube, (32) where preferably the metallic tube is a 6000 series aluminum alloy; alternately, (a) forming a metallic tube; (b) solution heat treating said metallic tube (c) controlled time and/or temperature exposure conditions of said metallic tube (d) forming splines on said metallic tube before said metallic tube has aged sufficiently to develop properties corresponding to a T4 temper; where preferably, the splines are created within 16 hours of forming said metallic tubes, and (e) artificially aging said metallic tubes. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic tube is a 6000 series aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for forming splines on a metallic tube by providing a metallic tube having a known hardness corresponding to T4 temper (10); heating the metallic tube to a temperature sufficient to remove the T4 temper (14); quenching the metallic tube (20); forming splines on the metallic tube (30); and artificially aging the metallic tube, (32) where preferably the metallic tube is a 6000 series aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-treated aluminum alloy casting in a shortened period of time, the method comprising: (a) providing a heat treatable aluminum alloy casting at a solutionizing temperature; (b) first stage cooling the heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to a critical temperature at which precipitation of second phase particles of the heat treatable aluminum alloy casting 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; (c) second stage cooling said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to ambient temperature; (d) heating said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to an artificial aging temperature; and (e) artificially aging said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting at said artificial aging temperature for a predetermined artificial aging time to form said heat-treated aluminum alloy casting.

Abstract: A process for the heat treatment of structure castings made from an aluminum alloy, comprising the steps of: placing the structure casting onto a contour-embracing product receiving device, heating to 490° C. over the course of approximately 30 minutes, holding the temperature of 490° C. for a time of between 90 and 120 minutes, quenching in air from 490° C. to approximately 100° over the course of approximately 4 minutes, if appropriate followed by quenching in water, heating to 250° C. over the course of approximately 15 minutes, holding the temperature of 250° C. for a time of between 30 and 120 minutes, quenching in air to 40° C., if appropriate followed by quenching in water; a light metal alloy for use with this process, having the following composition: Si: 2-11.5%, Fe: 0.15-0.4%, Mg: 0.3-5.5%, Cu & It: 0.02%, Mn: 0.4-0.8%, Ti: 0.1-0.2%, remainder aluminum and trace elements, the alloys with a high silicon content having a low magnesium content and vice versa.

Abstract: A method of artificially aging an aluminum alloy product to achieve a property in the product having the steps of aging the product to achieve the property by heating the product over an aging period, the aging period including a time period where the product is in an underaged state, and terminating the heating when the property is achieved according to a mathematical formula. The property is calculated as a function of time and product temperature measured over the aging period. Calculation of the property includes integration of the thermal effects on the product over the entire aging period including during the time period of underaged product state.

Abstract: An improved Si—Cu—Mg—Al base alloy suitable for forming in the semi-solid condition into members such as vehicular members having improved properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides aluminum alloys and layers formed in aluminum alloys as well as methods for their manufacture. Aluminum alloys of the present invention are provided with at least one discrete layer of uncrystallized grains formed therein. Alloys of the present invention can be formed, for example, by a process that includes a final partial anneal that permits softening of the material to essentially an O-temper condition. Processes of the present invention recrystallized substantially the entire material by leave a discrete layer of preferably less than 50 microns of the material unrecrystallized. In preferred embodiments, the aluminum material is a core material that is clad on one or both sides and the discrete unrecrystallized layer forms at the boundary between the clad and the core.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy formed by precipitation hardening in which the eutectic structure present therein has an average area less than 4 m?2. The alloy contains 6.5 to 7.5 wt. % silicon, up to 0.36 wt. % magnesium, and 20 to 70 ppm strontium and is suitable for use as a vehicle wheel. The method for heat treatment of the aluminum alloy formed by precipitation hardening comprises: conducting a solution treatment by causing the work piece to be present in a fluidized bed so that at least 60% of the silicon and/or magnesium forms a solid solution in an a phase; and conducting an aging treatment at a temperature not lower than 150° C. but lower than 200° C. The aluminum alloy thus obtained has well-balanced three mechanical properties, i.e., tensile strength, proof stress, and elongation, and has excellent fatigue strength.

Abstract: A heat treatment method for sliding bearings made of age-hardened aluminum materials includes an aluminum material that is artificially age-hardened for a time that is less than the time specified for reaching a maximum hardness, and a coating of a thermoplastic resin, or a solid lubrication material including a thermoplastic resin as a binder. The coating is placed on a surface of the aluminum material and is calcined.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluidized-bed furnace, in which the work piece is heat-treated in a fluidized bed formed by filling a vessel with particles and blowing hot air into the vessel to fluidize the particles. It includes a cantilevered dispersion tube disposed in the fluidized bed, and provided with air outlets directed downward, from which the hot air is blown out. This invention also provides a heat-treatment apparatus incorporating a rotary heat-treatment furnace, in which a work piece is heat-treated while being rotated in the fluidized bed, as the solution and/or aging treatment furnaces; removing dust from the exhaust gases discharged from the solution treatment furnace by a dust collector, and recovering the waste heat from the exhaust gases by an heat exchanger as the heat source for the aging treatment furnace; and also incorporating an automatic carrier which charges or discharges the work piece into or out of each furnace.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al-Si-Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for artificially aging 7000 Series A1 aerospace alloys to impart improved strength and/or corrosion resistance performance thereto. The method purposefully adds a second aging step or stage to a one-step tempering, or a third step/stage to a low-high, two-step aging operation. The added step/stage extends at about 225-275° F. for about 3-24 hours. More preferably, the added stage extends at about 250° F. for about 6 hours or more.

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: A method of producing light alloy castings by foundry technology in which, after solidification and shake-out, the casting is subjected to a heat-treatment cycle comprising a solution heat-treatment step at a temperature high enough to put into solution the phases precipitated in the course of the solidification of the casting, possibly followed by a quenching step and an ageing step, wherein the solution heat-treatment step is performed at least partially in hot isostatic pressing conditions.

Abstract: An aluminium-based alloy having 6.5-7.5 wt. % silicon and 0.35-0.50 wt. % magnesium as the major alloying elements and a method of manufacturing an article from the alloy are disclosed. The alloy is characterised by a microstructure in which &bgr; phase (Al5SiFe) that forms during heat treatment as a transformation product of &pgr; phase (Al8Si6Mg3Fe) is the sole or predominant iron-containing phase in the alloy.

Abstract: A process for making a cast article from an aluminum alloy includes first casting an article from an alloy having the following composition, in weight percent: Silicon 11.0-14.0 Copper 5.6-8.0 Iron   0-0.8 Magnesium 0.5-1.5 Nickel 0.05-0.9  Manganese   0-1.0 Titanium 0.05-1.2  Zirconium 0.12-1.2  Vanadium 0.05-1.2  Zinc 0.05-0.9  Strontium 0.001-0.1  Aluminum balance In this alloy the ration of silicon:magnesium is 10-25, and the ratio of copper:magnesium is 4-15. After an article is cast from the alloy, the cast article is aged at a temperature within the range of 400° F. to 500° F. for a time period within the range of four to 16 hours. It has been found especially advantageous if the cast article is first exposed to a solutionizing step prior to the aging step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered plain bearing which comprises a steel back, an intermediate layer made of an aluminum alloy and an aluminum-base bearing alloy layer comprising one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Mg and Si. The aluminum-base bearing alloy layer is bonded to the steel back via the intermediate layer and subsequently subjected to a solid solution treatment at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. The adjacent region of the intermediate layer to the steel back consists of, by mass, 2% to 8% of Si, and the balance of Al and incidental impurities.

Abstract: An aluminum-alloy article such as a fastener is prepared by providing an aluminum-alloy article precursor that is not in its final heat-treated state, and in one form is in its solution treated/annealed state. A curable organic coating material is also provided. The method includes anodizing the article precursor, preferably in chromic acid solution and without chemical sealing during anodizing, applying the organic coating material to the aluminum-alloy article precursor, and precipitation heat-treating the coated aluminum article precursor to its final heat-treated state, thereby simultaneously curing the organic coating. If the aluminum alloy temper is of the naturally aging type, it is optionally lightly deformed prior to precipitation treatment aging.

Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy having the following composition, % w/w: Lithium 1.5-1.9 Magnesium 4.1-6.0 Zinc 0.1-1.5 Zirconium 0.05-0.3 Manganese 0.01-0.8 Hydrogen 0.9 × 10−5-4.5 × 10−5 and at least one element selected from the following group: Beryllium 0.001-0.2 Yttrium 0.01-0.5 Scandium 0.01-0.3, Aluminum Remainder The process of heat treating the alloy includes the steps of quenching the alloy from a temperature of 400-500° C. in cold water or air, stretched-adjusting it to increase ductility up to 0 2 %, and a three stage heat treatment, in which in stage 1 the alloy is heated at 80-90° C. over the course of 3-12 h, in stage 2 it is heated at 110-185° C. over the course of 10-58 h, and in stage 3 it is heated at 90-110° C. for 14 h, or at a cooling rate of 2-80° C. C/h.

Abstract: A method of producing a sheet article or other elongated product of solution heat treated aluminum alloy substantially free of permanent thermal distortion. The method involves subjecting an article made of a heat-treatable aluminum alloy to a solution heat treatment, cooling the article in a gas from the solutionizing temperature to an upper critical temperature below which precipitation of second phase particles of the alloy may occur, further cooling the article in a gas/liquid from the upper temperature to a lower critical temperature below which precipitation of the components may no longer occur, and optionally additionally cooling the article to a temperature below the lower critical temperature. The cooling of the article in the gas is carried out at a rate of cooling at which the yield strength of the article remains high enough to resist permanent deformation caused by thermal stress generated within the article by the cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of producing an aluminum alloy sheet which, in one embodiment, includes roll casting an aluminum alloy strip having a thickness of less than about 0.5 inch and, subsequently, preferably without intervening thermal treatments or surface cleaning, cold rolling the strip to a thickness of less than about 0.15 inch, after which the cold rolled strip is subjected to thermal treatment which is preferably either continuous annealing or solution heat treatment. The aluminum alloy, in a continuous annealing embodiment, is preferably selected from the group consisting of the 3XXX and 5XXX series. In another embodiment wherein solution heat treatment is employed, the aluminum alloy is preferably selected from the group consisting of 2XXX and 6XXX. The sheet may be converted into a motor vehicle body panel.

Abstract: A method for nodulizing silicon crystals in casting Aluminum-(8-12%)-Silicon alloys is described. An initial alloy melt is refined by addition of a master alloy containing elements of titanium, phosphorous, boron, zirconium and rare earths to the initial molten alloy, and then through conventional heat treatment and aging. Testing the alloys shows that the nodulized silicon crystals are blunted in shape and well distributed, resulting in a high resistance to wear and high ultimate tensile strength at room temperature and at 300° C. Machinability of the Al—Si alloys is also greatly improved by the process.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly which is thermally treated to precipitation harden the backing plate without compromising the diffusion bond integrity. The method includes heat treating and quenching to alloy solution and artificially age the backing plate material after diffusion bonding to a target. Thermal treatment of the diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly includes quenching by partial-immersion in a quenchant and is performed after diffusion bonding and allows for various tempers in the backing plate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of coating a high-strength aluminum object with polymer and surface-treating it, for improved corrosion resistance. A polymer composition is coated onto the surface of the aluminum object and is sintered or melted fast, at the same time as solution treatment for precipitation hardening takes place. The polymer composition substantially comprises a fluorine-containing polymer, preferably PTFE. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the polymer coating is sintered or melted fast on the aluminum surface during a time period of approx. 15 minutes at approx. 420 degrees C. After solution treatment and simultaneous surface treatment at elevated temperature, the aluminum object is rapidly cooled to room temperature and precipitation hardened thereafter by means of artificial aging preferably at approx. 120-150 degrees C. for approx. 24 hours.

Abstract: Apparatus for simplified heat-treatment in making aluminum alloys castings of the type improved by aging, especially for automotive engine heads, etc. The newly solidified castings have an end product (workpiece) portion and a riser portion (ultimately cut off as waste). The apparatus transfers the casting oriented to selectively quench the workpiece portion from solution temperatures down to about 120° C. (e.g. by water misting the workpiece, while maintaining the essentially unsprayed riser portion at relatively significantly higher temperatures). After the quench, the residual heat retained by the riser portion reheats the workpiece portion (by internal heat conduction) and maintains it for an effective time within the temperature range for artificial aging (obviating any need for the prior art's aging furnace).

Abstract: This invention provides a method of forming a component made of an artificially and plastically formable material which can be hardened by artificial aging. The component is first shot-peen-formed in the unhardened condition and is subsequently, artificially aged. During artificial aping it is subjected to an exterior pressure load causing a creep of the impact-body-forming material to conform to a mold having the desired shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing anodic coatings with superior corrosion resistance and other properties on aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces by cryogenically treating the aluminum prior to anodizing. The invention also relates to the anodic coatings and to the anodically coated articles produced by the process. The anodized coating has a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm and a time to penetration of at least 5 hours for aqueous solutions of HCl.

Abstract: A single-point temperature control system is used with a multi-section furnace to control the exit temperature of a metal workpiece discharged from the furnace. The furnace consists of at least first, second and third sections. The temperature is sensed at the single temperature set point in the second section and compared with a desired set point temperature. The power to the second section is adjusted in order to maintain the desired set point temperature so that the metal workpiece exits the furnace at the required temperature.

Abstract: Simplified heat-treatment in making aluminum alloys castings of the type improved by aging, especially for automotive engine cylinder heads and motor blocks. The castings, after solidification and extraction from their molds, each have an end product (workpiece) portion and a riser portion (the latter being ultimately cut off as waste). The workpiece portion of the casting is selectively quenched from solution temperatures down to about 120° C. by spraying water or other appropriate liquid preferably as a gas driven mist onto the surfaces of the workpiece while maintaining the riser portion of the casting essentially unsprayed at relatively significantly higher temperatures. After the quench, the residual reservoir of heat thus retained by said riser portion, by internal heat conduction, reheats the workpiece portion and maintains such workpiece portion for an effective time period within the temperature range for artificial aging, thus obviating any need for the aging furnace used by the prior art.

Abstract: A bimetallic strip for a sliding bearing having a sliding strip of an aluminum alloy which is adhered to a steel supporting strip and method of manufacture. The composition of the sliding strip is from 3 to 30% of tin; from 1 to 6% of silicon and the remainder being of aluminum and impurities, and the sliding strip has at least 95% of the silicon hard particles smaller than 3.5 microns and an aluminum grain average size of about 6 microns. The sliding strip is produced by roll casting the alloy and attaching the sliding strip to the steel supporting strip to form the bimetallic strip which is heat treated between 200° and 380° C. to obtain a metallurgical bonding between the strips; subjecting the bimetallic strip to a solubilizing process of the intermetallic compounds of the aluminum alloy by heating at 380-500° C., followed by cooling; and subjecting the bimetallic strip to a precipitation treatment at a temperature from 150° to 250° C.