Abstract: A system for controlling the progress of the manufacture of at least one product by vertical semi-continuous direct chill casting, in particular from aluminium alloy, in a fixed mold, the control system includes a dummy bottom configured to form a movable lower bottom of the fixed mold and to carry the product during casting; a weighing cell, on which the dummy bottom is arranged to rest, the weighing cell being configured to take measurements representative of the mass of the product carried by the dummy bottom during casting; and a support of the dummy bottom, to which the weighing cell is linked, configured to lower the false bottom relative to the fixed mold, substantially in a vertical direction, during casting; and a processing unit connected to each weighing cell, and configured to process the measurements, and calculate the variation in the mass of the product over time.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for plate having a thickness of at least 80 mm comprising aluminium alloy as a percentage by weight %: Cu: 2.0-6.0; Li: 0.5-2.0; Mg: 0-1.0; Ag: 0-0.7; Zn 0-1.0; and at least one element selected from Zr, Mn, Cr, Sc, Hf and Ti, the amount of said element, if selected, being 0.05 to 0.20 wt % for Zr, 0.05 to 0.8% wt % t for Mn, 0.05 to 0.3 wt % for Cr and for Sc, 0.05 to 0.5 wt % Hf and 0.01 to 0.15% wt % for Ti, Si?0.1; Fe?0.1; others ?0.05 each and ?0.15 in total, wherein the aged state logarithmic fatigue mean measured at mid-thickness in the LT direction on smooth specimens with a maximum stress amplitude of 242 MPa, a frequency of 50 Hz, a stress ratio of R=0.1 of at least 250,000 cycles.

Abstract: The method comprising the following steps: a) Providing a first bath of a liquid metal (1) comprising aluminium with a content X and magnesium with a content Y, the magnesium content Y being different to zero, b) Immersing at least partially a sonotrode (3) formed from a material inert to liquid aluminium, in the first bath of liquid metal (1), and c) Applying power ultrasounds to the sonotrode (3) so as to excite the liquid metal (1) until wetting (5) of the sonotrode (3) by the liquid metal (1) is obtained. d) Cooling the first liquid metal (1) of the first bath until solidification of the first liquid metal (1) around the sonotrode (3) is obtained, generating an intimate bond (6) between the sonotrode (3) and the solidified first liquid metal (1) having a bonding strength substantially equal to that of brazing between two metals. e) Machining the solidified first metal (1) in the form of a flange (7) configured for the attachment of a mechanical amplifier and/or of a transducer (4).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a brushed rolled product made from Al—Cu—Li alloy with a thickness of less than 12 mm, including the steps of producing a rolled product, solution heat treatment and quenching, stress relieving, optionally tempering, and brushing, wherein the brushing tool applies a force to the rolled product generating residual compressive stresses at the surface of the brushed product; eliminates a thickness of at least 9 ?m from the surface of the non-brushed rolled product; wherein the brushing step comprises at least one circular brushing motion. The rolled product obtained by the method according to the invention is advantageous. The use of such a product in an aircraft fuselage panel is advantageous.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: a) Providing a sonotrode (1) formed from an essentially inert material with respect to the liquid metal, such as a ceramic, and preferably a silicon nitride or a silicon oxynitride, such as SIALON, or a metal essentially inert to said liquid metal, b) Immersing at least partially the sonotrode (1) in a bath of said metal, c) Applying to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts to obtain the wetting of said sonotrode by said metal, d) Applying continuously to the sonotrode (1) measurement ultrasounds, also known as testing ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds wherein the frequency is between 1 and 25 MHz, e) Applying intermittently to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts, to maintain said wetting.

Abstract: An enclosure having a sealing device, for a casting installation, having a first body and a second body that is removably joined to the first body along a bearing axis, the first and second bodies together delimiting an internal chamber. The sealing device comprises: at least one compression member, at least one seal having a lateral contact face extending substantially parallel to the bearing axis; the compression member and the seal being arranged with respect to one another such that the compression member is in contact with the lateral contact face of the seal and exerts a compression force thereon that is oriented orthogonally to the bearing axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 3.3 mm and an essentially non-recrystallized structure made of aluminum-based alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aluminum alloy product including the steps of: creating a bath of liquid metal in an aluminum-copper-lithium alloy, casting said alloy by vertical semi-continuous casting so as to obtain a plate with thickness T and width W such that, during solidification, the hydrogen content of said liquid metal bath (1) is lower than 0.4 ml/100 g, the oxygen content above the liquid surface (14, 15) is less than 0.5% by volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled product with state T351, having thickness of between 15 and 50 mm, made from aluminum alloy having the following composition, in % by weight, Cu: 3.85-4.15; Mg: 0.95-1.25; Mn: 0.45-0.57; Zr: 0.09-0.16; Ti: 0.005-0.1; Fe: <0.070; Si: <0.060; with Cu+Mg?5.15; other lesser elements 0.05 each and less than 0.15 in total, the remainder being aluminum.

Abstract: A method for producing a rolled product 0.5 to 10 mm thick made from an aluminum alloy comprising, in particular, copper and lithium, in which, after solution annealing and quenching, a short heat treatment is carried out in which the sheet reaches a temperature of between 145° C. and 175° C. for 0.1 to 45 minutes, the speed of heating being between 3 and 600° C./min. The sheet obtained at the end of the method according to the invention has high corrosion resistance and is capable of being shaped for producing a structural element for an aircraft, in particular an aircraft fuselage skin.

Abstract: A system for controlling the progress of the manufacture of at least one product by vertical semi-continuous direct chill casting, in particular from aluminium alloy, in a fixed mold, the control system includes a dummy bottom configured to form a movable lower bottom of the fixed mold and to carry the product during casting; a weighing cell, on which the dummy bottom is arranged to rest, the weighing cell being configured to take measurements representative of the mass of the product carried by the dummy bottom during casting; and a support of the dummy bottom, to which the weighing cell is linked, configured to lower the false bottom relative to the fixed mold, substantially in a vertical direction, during casting; and a processing unit connected to each weighing cell, and configured to process the measurements, and calculate the variation in the mass of the product over time.

Abstract: An enclosure having a sealing device, for a casting installation, having a first body and a second body that is removably joined to the first body along a bearing axis, the first and second bodies together delimiting an internal chamber. The sealing device comprises: at least one compression member, at least one seal having a lateral contact face extending substantially parallel to the bearing axis; the compression member and the seal being arranged with respect to one another such that the compression member is in contact with the lateral contact face of the seal and exerts a compression force thereon that is oriented orthogonally to the bearing axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled product having a thickness of at least 50 mm made of aluminium alloy comprising, in % by weight, 2.2% to 3.9% of Cu, 0.7% to 1.8% of Li, 0.1% to 0.8% of Mg, 0.1% to 0.6% of Mn; 0.01% to 0.15% of Ti, at least one element chosen from Zn and Ag, the amount of said element, if it is chosen, being 0.2% to 0.8% for Zn and 0.1% to 0.5% for Ag, optionally at least one element chosen from Zr, Cr, Sc, Hf, and V, the amount of said element, if it is chosen, being 0.04% to 0.18% for Zr, 0.05% to 0.3% for Cr and for Sc, 0.05% to 0.5% for Hf and for V, less than 0.1% of Fe, less than 0.1% of Si, the remainder being aluminium and inevitable impurities, having a content of less than 0.05% each and 0.15% in total; characterized in that its granular structure is predominantly recrystallised between ¼ and ½ thickness. The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing such a product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method for manufacturing a rolled product of variable thickness made of heat-treatable aluminum alloy in which hot rolling is performed to achieve a variation in thickness of at least 10% lengthwise between the thickest part and the thinnest part; the rolled product of variable thickness obtained undergoes solution heat-treatment and quenching with permanent set of at least 1% in the thickest part before natural or artificial ageing. The products obtained according to the invention exhibit improved mechanical strength of at least 5% in the thinnest part and improved fracture toughness of at least 15% in the thickest part. The products according to the invention are notably useful in the fabrication of aircraft upper or lower wing skins the “buy to fly” ratio and the properties are simultaneously improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extruded, rolled and/or forged products. Also provided are methods of making such products based on aluminum alloy wherein a liquid metal bath is prepared comprising 2.0 to 3.5% by weight of Cu, 1.4 to 1.8% by weight of Li, 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of Ag, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of Mg, 0.05 to 0.18% by weight of Zr, 0.2 to 0.6% by weight of Mn and at least one element selected from Cr, Sc, Hf and Ti, the quantity of said element selected, being 0.05 to 0.3% by weight for Cr and for Sc, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight for Hf and 0.01 to 0.15% by weight for Ti, the remainder being aluminum and inevitable impurities. The products and methods of the present invention offer an advantageous compromise between static mechanical strength and damage tolerance and are useful in aeronautical design.

Abstract: A tooling for producing a metal product by feed casting, comprising a mold comprising a preheater, an ingot mold (10), a movable bottom that moves in a main direction X and a transition ring interposed between the preheater and the ingot mold (10). The tooling has a clamping ring (12) transmitting a clamping force (F1) to the transition ring (11) oriented towards the ingot mold (10), a holding mechanism that positively locks the clamping ring (12), and an axial relief mechanism configured so as to vary between an inactive state in which the holding mechanism exerts said holding force (F2) on the clamping ring (12) such that the clamping ring (12) exerts said clamping force (F1) on the transition ring (11) and an active state in which the axial relief mechanism resists the action applied by the holding mechanism on the clamping ring in the inactive state.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a worked product or a monolithic multi-functional structural element comprising aluminium alloy includes a hot working step and at least one transformation step by cold plastic deformation after the hot transformation step. At least two zones of the structural element have imposed generalized average plastic deformations and the imposed deformations are different by at least 2%. Structural elements can be fabricated, particularly for aeronautical construction, with properties that are variable while their geometric characteristics are identical to those of existing components. The process is economic and controllable, and properties can be varied for parts not requiring any artificial ageing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for forming by welding along a flat surface an article. The method according to the invention is particularly useful to improve strength and elongation of welded joints obtained by linear friction welding. Structural articles of aircrafts obtained with the method of the invention are advantageous, in particular aircraft structural members.

Abstract: An extruded product made of an alloy containing aluminum comprising 4.2 wt % to 4.8 wt % of Cu, 0.9 wt % to 1.1 wt % of Li, 0.15 wt % to 0.25 wt % of Ag, 0.2 wt % to 0.6 wt % of Mg, 0.07 wt % to 0.15 wt % of Zr, 0.2 wt % to 0.6 wt % of Mn, 0.01 wt % to 0.15 wt % of Ti, a quantity of Zn less than 0.2 wt %, a quantity of Fe and Si less than or equal to 0.1 wt % each, and unavoidable impurities with a content less than or equal to 0.05 wt % each and 0.15 wt % in total is disclosed. The profiles according to the invention are particularly useful as fuselage stiffeners or stringers, circumferential frames, wing stiffeners, floor beams or profiles, or seat tracks, notably owing to their improved properties in relation to those of known products, in particular in terms of energy absorption during an impact, static mechanical strength and corrosion resistance properties and their low density.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for wrought products made of Al—Cu—Mg aluminum alloy composed as follows, as a percentage by weight, Cucorr: 2,6-3.7; Mgcorr: 1.5-2.6, Mn: 0.2-0.5; Zr: ?0.16; Ti: 0.01-0.15; Cr?0.25; Si?0.2; Fe?0.2; other elements <0.05 the rest aluminum; with Cucorr>?0.9(Mgcorr)+4.3 and Cucorr<?0.9(Mgcorr)+5.0; where Cucorr=Cu?0.74(Mn?0.2)?2.28 Fe and Mgcorr=Mg?1.73(Si?0.05) for Si?0.05 and Mgcorr=Mg for Si<0.05 and their manufacturing process.