Abstract: A casting process for an aluminum alloy containing at least about 0.1% of Mg and/or at least about 0.1% of Li in which a liquid surface of the alloy is put into contact with a dried gas including at least about 2% of oxygen by volume and with a water partial pressure lower than about 150 Pa throughout most of the solidification process is described. The process makes it possible to cast most oxidable aluminum alloys, in particular aluminum alloys containing magnesium and/or lithium, without using additives such as beryllium and/or calcium and without using expensive devices and/or gases, to obtain cast ingots generally free from surface defects and pollution, in complete safety.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 16, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 6, 2012
Assignee:
Constellium France
Inventors:
Guillaume Bes, Robert Rey-Flandrin, Olivier Ribaud, Stephane Vernede