Abstract: Aluminum alloy strips less than 0.3 mm thick for making heat exchangers, containing, in wt. %: Si<1.0, Fe<1.0, Cu<0.8, Mg<1.0, Mn?1.8, Zn<2.0, In<0.2, Sn<0.2, Bi<0.2, Ti<0.2, Cr<0.25, Zr<0.25, Si+Fe+Mn+Mg>0.8, other elements <0.05, each and <0.15 in total. The strips have between the surface and half the thickness a difference of corrosion potential, measured relative to a saturated calomel electrode in accordance with the ASTM G69 standard, of at least 10 mV. The invention also concerns a method for making such strips by continuous casting in conditions promoting formation of segregations in the strip core, optionally hot rolling, cold rolling optionally with one or several intermediate or final annealing(s) of 1 to 20 hours at a temperature between 200 and 450° C. The fins or separators made from the inventive strips have enhanced resistance to perforating corrosion.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of bauxite (10) by alkaline digestion, typically using the Bayer process in order to obtain alumina hydrate, characterized in that ground bauxite (11, 15) is added directly into an alkaline solution (21a) that is drawn off and that will be reinserted into the Bayer aluminate liquor circuit (20), the said alkaline solution (21a) being heated at a temperature such that after the said ground bauxite (11, 15) and the said alkaline solution have been brought into contact, the temperature of the slurry resulting from this mix is greater than a temperature close to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure, in other words typically greater than 95° C. and preferably greater than or equal to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extruded, rolled and/or forged product made of an aluminum alloy. Alloys of the present invention may comprise (by mass): Zn 6.7-7.5% Cu 2.0-2.8% Mg 1.6-2.2% at least one element selected from the group composed of: i Zr 0.08-0.20% Cr 0.05-0.25% Sc 0.01-0.50% Hf 0.05-0.20% and V 0.02-0.20% Fe+Si<0.20% other elements ?0.05 each and ?0.15 total, balance aluminum. Products of the present invention in some embodiments have an improved compromise between static mechanical strength and damage tolerance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (8) which is used to inject a treatment gas into a molten metal contained in a tank (1) and which is designed to be fixed in one of the walls of said tank. The inventive device comprises at least one injection nozzle (18) which is equipped with an end hole (19). Said device is characterised in that it comprises a mobile means (14) which can be manoeuvred from outside of the injection device and which is used to unblock the aforementioned end hole of the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a work-hardened product, particularly a rolled, extruded or forged product, made of an alloy with the following composition (% by weight): Cu 3.8-4.3; Mg 1.25-1.45; Mn 0.2-0.5; Zn 0.4-1.3; Fe<0.15; Si<0.15; Zr?0.05; Ag<0.01, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, remainder Al treated by dissolution, quenching and cold strain-hardening, with a permanent deformation of between 0.5% and 15%, and preferably between 1.5% and 3.5%. Cold strain-hardening can be achieved by controlled tension and/or cold transformation, for example rolling, die forging or drawing. This cladded metal plate type product is a suitable element to be used as aircraft fuselage skin.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a coating precursor comprising a silicone resin, a mineral filler and an organic solvent capable of dissolving the said resin and putting the said mineral filler into suspension, the said silicone resin and the said mineral filler being capable of chemically reacting so as to produce a solid layer on a substrate after the organic solvent has evaporated and a cohesive refractory layer after a calcination operation. Another purpose of the invention is a method for coating a given surface of a substrate with at least one refractory layer containing silicon in which the substrate is coated with a coating precursor according to the invention so as to form a green layer and a heat treatment is carried out to calcine the said green layer and to form a cohesive refractory layer. The invention is a means of obtaining a protective coating capable of resisting oxidizing environments, liquid metal and solid or molten salt.

Abstract: New alloys for potential use in applications such as in lower wing skins and fuselage skins are disclosed. Specifically, Mn-free 2×24 alloys potentially suitable for thick plate and thin plate and sheet applications are believed to be novel and to provide unexpectedly superior properties.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a coating precursor comprising a silicone resin and a mineral filler capable of chemically reacting so as to produce a solid layer on a substrate and a cohesive refractory layer after a calcination operation. The precursor may also include an additive capable of reducing its viscosity. Another purpose of the invention is a method for coating a given surface of a substrate with at least one refractory layer containing silicon in which the substrate is coated with a coating precursor according to the invention so as to form a green layer and a heat treatment is carried out to calcine the said green layer and to form a cohesive refractory layer. The invention is a means of obtaining a protective coating capable of resisting oxidising environments, liquid metal and a solid or molten salt.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a rolled, forged or extruded aluminum alloy product more than 12 mm thick, heat treated by solutionizing, quenching and artificial aging, with a microstructure characterized by the following parameters: the fraction of recrystallized grains measured between one-quarter thickness and mid-thickness of the final wrought product is smaller than 35% by volume; the characteristic intercept distance between recrystallized areas is greater than 250 ?m, preferably greater than 300 ?m and most preferably greater than 350 ?m.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing aluminium alloy products, with high toughness and fatigue resistance comprising: (a) preparing an aluminium alloy bath, (b) adding a refining agent containing particles of AlTiC type phases into the bath, (c) casting an as-cast form such as an extrusion ingot, a forging ingot or a rolling ingot, (d) hot transforming the as-cast form, possibly after scalping, to form a blank or a product with final thickness, (e) optionally cold transforming the blank to a final thickness, (f) applying a solution heat treatment and quenching the product output from (d) or (e), followed by relaxation by controlled stretching with permanent elongation between 0.5 and 5%, and optionally annealing, wherein the quantity of refining agent is chosen such that the average casting grain size of the as-cast form is more than 500 ?m. The present invention may be used, for example, to manufacture fuselage sheet or light-gauge plates made with 6056 alloy.

Abstract: A structural member comprising at least two aluminum alloy parts displaying different property balances, said at least two parts being welded and wherein one of said parts either is (i) selected from an aluminum alloy different from the other of said at least two parts and/or (ii) is selected from an initial temper different from the other of said at least two parts, and wherein at least one of said at least two parts has been pre-aged prior to being welded, and, wherein said structural member has undergone a post-welding thermal treatment conferring a final temper to each of said at least two parts. The parts are advantageously welded by friction stir welding. Another subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing a structural member.

Abstract: Rolled or extruded products for welded constructions made of AlMgMn type aluminum alloy. These products contain, in % by weight, 3.0<Mg<5.0, 0.75<Mn<1.0, Fe<0.25, Si<0.25, 0.02<Zn<0.40, optionally one or more of the elements Cr, Cu, Ti, Zr such that Cr<0.25, Cu<0.20, Ti<0.20, Zr<0.20, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, wherein Mn+2Zn>0.75. In the welded state, these products have improved mechanical strength and resistance to fatigue without unfavorable consequences with regard to toughness and corrosion resistance, and are particularly suitable for naval construction, for industrial vehicles and for bicycle frames made of welded tubes.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of a liquid metal flow comprising a treatment ladle, wherein the ladle comprises: a treatment compartment, liquid metal inlet means and outlet means, connection means to at least one liquid metal input trough, at least one liquid metal output trough, and means of injecting a treatment gas into the liquid metal arranged in at least one sidewall of the ladle, wherein the liquid metal inlet and outlet means each comprise at least one orifice positioned so as to be entirely underneath a level of the liquid metal during the treatment, in order to prevent entry of ambient air into the compartment during treatment, and further wherein the treatment compartment comprises an upstream part and a downstream part, and the injection means is located in the upstream part, and the compartment further comprises at least one first filtration means located in the downstream part.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a strip of aluminum alloy having high surface homogeneity with an upper side showing after a 1 ?m thick sulphur anodic treatment, an optical roughness value SN measured on three 5 cm longitudinal sections and three 5 cm transverse sections, such that its mean variation on each section, defined by the ratio: (Maximum SN?minimum SN)/Mean SN is less than 20%, and the difference ?SN=SN max ?SN min is less than 20. The strip is manufactured by continuous casting between two cooled rolls from a casting tank containing the liquid metal connected to an injector, and feeding the liquid metal into the gap between the two rolls. The injector has an upper lip recessed by at least 2 mm with reference to a lower lip of the injector.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the manufacture of aluminum alloy plates having reduced levels of residual stress as well as plates and products employing such plates. Processes of the present invention involve providing a solution heat-treated and quenched aluminum alloy plate with a thickness of at least 5 inches, and stress relieving the plate by performing at least one compressing step at a total rate of 0.5 to 5% permanent set along the longest or second longest edge of the plate. In the method, the dimension of the plate where the compression step is performed is along the longest or second longest edge of the plate, which is preferably no less than twice and no more than eight times the thickness of the plate. In further accordance with the present invention, there are provided stress-relieved alloys and plates that are provided with superior Wtot properties as well as reduced residual stress and heterogeneity values.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optimization of recrystallization rates on the fatigue crack growth resistance, in the particular case of a Al—Zn—Cu—Mg plate products, and especially on the evolution of da/dN.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to manufacture a clad strip, preferably <1.5 mm thick, intended for the manufacture of brazed heat exchangers, comprising: casting a plate of core alloy comprising (% by weight): Si<0.8, Fe<0.8, Cu 0.2-0.9, Mn 0.7-1.5, Mg<0.4, Zn<0.2, Ti<0.1, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, the remainder aluminum, homogenizing the plate between 550 and 630° C. for at least one hour, cladding one or two sides of the plate with a brazing aluminum alloy, preferentially containing 5 to 13% silicon, hot rolling followed by cold rolling of the plate to a thickness close to a final desired thickness, recrystallization annealing of the strip between 300 and 4000 C., strain hardening of the annealed strip to obtain a permanent deformation between 2 and 10% and to obtain the desired final thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a work-hardened product, and particularly a rolled, extruded and/or forged product made of an alloy with composition (% by weight): Zn 6.7-7.3% Cu 1.9-2.5% Mg 1.0-2.0% Zr 0.04-0.15% Fe ?0.15 Si ?0.15 other elements ?0.05 each and ?0.15 total, remainder aluminium and wherein Mg/Cu<1. The product is preferable treated by solution heat treatment, quenching, cold working and artificial aging. Cold working may be achieved by controlled tension and/or cold transformation, for example rolling or drawing. The product may be used, for example, as an aircraft structural member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rolled or extructed product, in particular a tube, made of an alloy composition (expressed in wt. %) comprising: Si<0.30; Fe 0.20-0.05; Cu<0.05; Mn 0.5-1.2; Mg<0.05; Zn<0.50; Cr 0.10-0.30; Ti<0.05; Zr<0.05; the balance consisting of aluminium and unavoidable impurities. The invention also concerns a method for making extruded tubes of said composition comprising casting a billet, optionally homogenizing it, extruding a tube, drawing said tube in one or several passes and continuous annealing at a temperature ranging between 350 and 500° C. with a temperature increase of less than 10 seconds. The inventive products are designed for pipes and heat exchangers for motor vehicles, and exhibit good corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy having improved strength and ductility, comprising: Cu 3.5-5.8 wt. %, Mg 0.1-1.8 wt. % Mn 0.1-0.8 wt. % Ag 0.2-0.8 wt. % Ti 0.02-0.12 wt. % and optionally one or more selected from the group consisting of Cr 0.1-0.8 wt. %, Hf 0.1-1.0 wt. %, Sc 0.03-0.6 wt. %, and V 0.05-0.15 wt. %. balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, and wherein the alloy is substantially zirconium-free.