Abstract: New methods of producing anodized aluminum alloy products having an improved surface appearance properties are disclosed. The methods may include preparing an aluminum alloy body for anodizing, thereby producing an anodized aluminum alloy body, contacting an intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body with an acid, thereby producing a prepared intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body, and sealing the prepared intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body. The anodized aluminum alloy products may realize a preselected color tolerance, such as realizing a b* value that is within a specified tolerance of a preselected b* value.

Abstract: A fastening system including a pin member and a key for engaging the pin member. The pin member includes a shank portion and a recess formed within an end face of the shank portion. The recess includes a plurality of splines and recesses that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The key includes a key head having a plurality of splines and grooves that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The plurality of splines and recesses of the pin member and the plurality of splines and recesses of the key are adapted to communicate with each other when tightening and loosening the pin member.

Abstract: High strength forged aluminum alloys and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The forged aluminum alloy products may have grains having a high aspect ratio in at least two planes, generally the L-ST and the LT-ST planes. The forged aluminum alloy products may also have a high amount of texture. The forged products may realize increased strength relative to conventionally prepared forged products of comparable product form, composition and temper.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing new 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products having tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions. The tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions may be produced by preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet for precipitate phase modification, and then modifying an initial precipitate phase particle size distribution of the material. The modifying may include heating the intermediate gauge strip to a temperature of from 440° C. (825° F.) to 500° C. (932° F.) and for a time sufficient to create a modified strip product having a modified (tailored) precipitate phase particle size distribution. The modified strip product may realize improved properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing new 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products having tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions. The tailored precipitate phase particle size distributions may be produced by preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet for precipitate phase modification, and then modifying an initial precipitate phase particle size distribution of the material. The modifying may include heating the intermediate gauge strip to a temperature of from 440° C. (825° F.) to 500° C. (932° F.) and for a time sufficient to create a modified strip product having a modified (tailored) precipitate phase particle size distribution. The modified strip product may realize improved properties.

Abstract: A titanium alloy, components formed thereof, and methods of use are provided. Embodiments of the alloy may be useful in the energy extraction environment. Components formed of the alloy may include subsea or land-based components associated with oil and gas production and drilling.

Abstract: A method of installing a fastener into a structure, comprising the steps of providing a fastener having a pin member including an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cylindrical shank portion having an outer surface, a head located at the first end of the elongated shank, the head including a bearing surface located on the underside of the head, and a threaded portion located at the second end of the elongated shank and a seal element adapted to be positioned on the pin member such that the seal member is juxtaposed with the bearing surface of the head of the pin member; and installing the fastener into the structure in an installed position.

Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.

Abstract: A fastener including a sleeve having an elongated portion, a head with a bearing surface, and an internal threaded portion, a core bolt disposed within the sleeve and having a head and a shank portion having an external threaded portion engageable threadedly with the threaded portion of the sleeve. An insert is disposed within the sleeve and surrounds a portion of the core bolt. A seal element is attached to the sleeve and juxtaposed with the bearing surface of the head of the sleeve. The fastener is adapted to be installed in a structure. The electrical contact of the fastener reduces the potential difference between it and the structure, which provides a direct path for continuous propagation of electromagnetic waves, reducing electromagnetic wave scattering and minimizing the electromagnetic signature.

Abstract: A fastener including a core bolt and a sleeve adapted to receive the core bolt. The sleeve includes an elongated portion and a head including a first, outer surface and a plurality of embossments located on and extending from the first surface. The plurality of embossments is adapted to mate with and be engaged by corresponding debossments of a fastener installation tool. The embossments react installation torque.

Abstract: A component including a wall with a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one aperture formed within the wall and extending from the first surface to the second surface. At least one boss is located on the first surface of the wall and around the at least one aperture, the at least one boss being constructed by layered, additive manufacturing. Optionally, the aperture need not be included. A method including the steps of providing a component having a wall with a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and at least one aperture formed within the wall and extends from the first surface to the second surface thereof, and constructing at least one boss on the first surface of the wall of the component and around the at least one aperture using layered, additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A welding wire formed of a trace boron titanium base alloy is provided, along with welds formed from the wire and articles comprising one or more of such welds. A method may include forming such a weld or welds from such a welding wire, and may also include non-destructively inspecting titanium alloy articles comprising one or more of such welds using ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws.

Abstract: A fastening system including a pin member and a key for engaging the pin member. The pin member includes a shank portion and a recess formed within an end face of the shank portion. The recess includes a plurality of splines and recesses that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The key includes a key head having a plurality of splines and grooves that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The plurality of splines and recesses of the pin member and the plurality of splines and recesses of the key are adapted to communicate with each other when tightening and loosening the pin member.

Abstract: An aluminum sheet product comprises: a core layer comprising one of a 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx aluminum alloy; and a liner layer comprising one of a 3xxx aluminum alloy having an additive of 0.5-5% Zn, and a 7xxx aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the aluminum sheet product r has an O temper pre-braze tensile strength of at least 20 Ksi. In some embodiments the corrosion potential difference between the liner and core is at least 30 millivolts. In some embodiments, the aluminum sheet product further comprises an inner layer comprising one of a 3xxx and a 4xxx aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A fastener includes a pin member, a swage collar, and a nut. The pin member includes a shank portion having first and second ends and a threaded portion including an external thread. The swage collar has first and second ends and is adapted to be installed on the pin member and swaged onto the external thread of the pin member. The second end of the swage collar is positioned distal from the first end of the pin member when the swage collar is installed on the pin member. The nut is adapted to be installed on the pin member and has first and second ends and an internal thread adapted to engage the external thread of the pin member. When the nut is installed on the pin member, the nut is adapted to engage the swage collar such that the swage collar is retained on the pin member before swaging.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a fastener having a bolt with a pull portion having at least one pull groove, and an outer sleeve having a head with an inner face, the bolt being inserted within the sleeve. The fastening system includes a fastener installation tool having a puller with at least one tooth and a front face. The inner face of the head of the sleeve is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, while the front face of the puller of the fastener installation tool is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the puller. The included angles are chosen to match or be substantially the same.

Abstract: A pin member for a fastener includes an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cylindrical shank portion having an outer surface, a head located at the first end of the elongated shank, the head including a bearing surface located on the bearing surface of the head, and a threaded portion located at the second end of the elongated shank. The pin member can be fully coated with a coating. A conformable seal element is attached to the pin member, which is adapted to fill the microscopic voids between the bearing surface of the head of the pin member and the surrounding structure under the axial load exerted by the fastener during installation. The seal element can be separate and distinct from the pin member. The seal element can be attached to the pin member for the sake of convenience, but the seal element can deform independently of the pin member and the surrounding structure in response to the forces exerted by the fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising: a substrate configured into a casing, a propellant configured between a projectile positioned/configured within the casing and an end of the casing, the propellant configured to expand upon a firing event and project the projectile from the casing; and a coating comprising a conformal coating layer having a particulate boron nitride dispersed therein, wherein the coating is configured to cover at least one of the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall, such that at least one side of the substrate is covered by the coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring broken spot weld artifacts has a framework for supporting a light and a plurality of cameras for acquiring controlled images of a specimen with minimal distortion and parallax. The framework holds the specimen flat and in a reproducible position, controlling movement while imaging. The image data is received in a computer programmed with image processing software capable of isolating and measuring the artifacts. A calibration standard is used to correct for aberrations.