Abstract: The present invention relates to an extruded, rolled and/or forged product made of an aluminium 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: 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 aluminium. Products of the present invention in some embodiments have an improved compromise between static mechanical strength and damage tolerance.

Abstract: A Glare type composite laminated sandwich panel comprising (i) aluminum (ii) glass fibre with adhesive (iii) aluminum is disclosed. According to the present invention, at least one of the aluminum sheets is preferably made of an aluminum non-heat treatable alloy type Al—Mg with a magnesium content of between 4 and 6%. These sandwich panels have mechanical characteristics similar to sandwich panels comprising sheets with a heat treatable alloy. Panels of the present invention further generally have better corrosion resistance and are less expensive than those made with heat treatable alloys such as 2xxx and 7xxx type alloys.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing aluminium alloy parts with precipitation hardening including friction stir welding of at least two elements made from the same alloy or different alloys, solution heat treatment, and quenching of welded parts, in which the elements are subjected to heat treatment before welding at temperature T for at least 2t1, t1 being defined as the minimum treatment duration at temperature T leading to a specific melting peak energy defined by AED equal to less than 1 J/g. A method according to the invention substantially avoids an increase in the grain size following solution heat treatment after welding. The invention further relates to novel aluminum materials as well as uses therefor.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy strip of high surface homogeneity, intended for applications requiring good visual quality or specific optical properties, such as reflectors and anodized plates for construction and decoration. The strip may be characterized by an upper side having, after a 1 &mgr;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 there is mean variation on each section, defined by the ratio: (Maximum SN−minimum SN)/Mean SN which is less than 20%, and a difference &Dgr;SN=SN max−SN min which is less than 20.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying, measuring the size of and counting individual inclusions in suspension in moving liquid metal using an ultrasound sensor including emission device for emitting ultrasound beam pulses and at least one reception device for detecting reflected ultrasound beam pulses. The apparatus also includes an echo acquisition and processing device for reflected ultrasound beams received by the at least one reception means, a display device for displaying echos as images of inclusions, an image analysis device to count and measure inclusions based on the displayed images, and at least one control reflector having predetermined dimensions and geometry stable over time and which can be selectively placed in path defined by the ultrasound beam pulses. The control reflector enables calibration of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metal block suitable for machining, the metal block comprising at least two superimposed metal plates, each having a thickness of at least 12.5 mm, wherein the yield strength of the block is at least 75% of the yield strength of the initial metal plate(s). The present invention is further directed to methods for manufacturing such blocks from two or more thick metal plates by explosive welding and other methods. Blocks according to the present invention are useful, for example, for manufacturing aircraft structural components or injection molds for plastics or rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to manufacture a clad strip, <1.5 mm thick, intended for the manufacture of brazed heat exchangers, comprising: casting of a plate made of core alloy composed as follows (o 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, homogenization of said plate between 550 and 630° C. for at least one hour, cladding on one or two sides of said blank of a brazing aluminum alloy, preferentially containing 5 to 13% silicon, hot rolling followed by cold rolling of the plated blank to a thickness close to the final thickness, recrystallization annealing of the strip between 300 and 4000C., strain hardening of the annealed strip to obtain a permanent deformation between 2 and 10% and the final thickness.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for displaying, measuring the size of and counting individual inclusions in suspension in moving liquid metal using an ultrasound sensor including emission and reception devices. Using the emission device, a series of ultrasound beam pulses is emitted within the liquid metal, and echoes reflected by the inclusions are received using the reception device. The reflected echoes are successively acquired and processed, and displayed as images which are analyzed to count and measure the diameter of inclusions. The sensor is calibrated by selectively placing in a path defined by the beam pulses at least one control reflector having predetermined dimensions and a geometry stable over time, successively acquiring and processing reflected echoes from the control reflector, displaying the reflected echoes from the control reflector as images, and analyzing the control reflector echo images to determine a relationship between amplitude of the images and the control reflector dimensions.

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: A process for forming a structure element, particularly an lower wing element of an aircraft, manufactured from a rolled, extruded or forged product made of an alloy of composition (% by weight) Cu=4.6-5.3, Mg=0.10-0.50, Mn=0.15-0.45, Si<0.10, Fe<0.15, Zn<0.20, Cr<0.10, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, remainder Al. The product is treated by solution heat treating, quenching, controlled tension to more than 1.5% permanent deformation and aging.

Abstract: Rolled, extruded or forged product made of an AlCuMg alloy processed by solution heat treatment, quenching and cold stretching, to be used in the manufacture of aircraft structural elements, with the following composition (% by weight):

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a structure element, particularly an lower wing element of an aircraft, manufactured from a rolled, extruded or forged product made of an alloy with composition (% by weight):

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making aluminium alloy strips containing (by weight) at least 0.15 to 1.5% Fe and/or 0.35 to 1.9% Mn, with Fe+Mn<2.5% and optionally Si<0.8%, Mg<0.2%, Cu<0.2%, Cr<0.2%, Zn<0.2%, and other elements each <0.1% and <0.3 % in all, by continuous casting between two cylinders cooled and shrinked to a thickness ranging between 1 and 5 mm, the force applied to the cylinders during casting, expressed in tonnes per meter of strip width, being less than 300+2000/e, e being the cast strip thickness in mm. The invention also concerns strips in alloy of the same composition, twin-roll cast between 1 and 5 mm thick and having a product R0.2 (MPa)×A (%) greater than 2500, and preferably than 3000.

Abstract: Rolled product for use in the manufacture of aircraft structural elements, made of an AlCuMg alloy processed by solution heat treatment, quenching and cold stretching. The product has a composition consisting essentially of, in % by weight: Fe<0.15; Si<0.15; Cu:3.8-4.4; Mg:1-1.5; Mn:0.5-0.8; Zr:0.08-0.15; other elements: <0.05 each and <0.15 total. This product has a thickness of between 6 and 60 mm, with an ultimate tensile strength Rm(L) in the quenched and stretched temper >475 MPa and yield stress R0.2(L)>370 MPa, with a ratio Rm(L)/R0.2(L)>1.25.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing highly worked pieces of AlCuMg alloy, comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A tank for liquid metal processing tilting about an axis and fed by a fixed chute and pouring the liquid metal into a fixed evacuating chute. The tank includes at least a passage hole for supplying, discharging, or emptying the liquid metal arranged in one of its walls and extended by a mobile nozzle integral with the tank. At least the fixed evacuation chute merges with the tilting axis and the nozzle. Further, the fixed chute is assembled together by a linking device articulated in rotation about the tilting axis.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a structure element, particularly an lower wing element of an aircraft, manufactured from a rolled, extruded or forged product made of an alloy with composition (% by weight): Cu=4.6-5.3, Mg=0.10-0.50, Mn=0.15-0.45, Si <0.10, Fe<0.15, Zn<0.20, Cr<0.10, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, the remainder being Al treated by solution heat treating, quenching, controlled tension to more than 1.5% permanent deformation and aging.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for manufacturing aluminum alloy strips with a thickness less than or equal to 12 &mgr;m, including:

Abstract: Clad sheet made up of a core sheet and a cladding layer on one or two core sheet surfaces. The core sheet is formed of an alloy having the composition (% by weight) Si: 0.7-1.3, Mg: 0.6-1.2, Cu: 0.5-1.1, Mn: 0.15-1.0, Zn<0.5, Fe<0.5, Zr<0.2, Cr<0.25, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, the remainder aluminum. The cladding is formed of an AlZn alloy having a thickness of between 1 and 15% of the clad sheet thickness, having the composition (% by weight) Zn: 0.25-0.7, Fe<0.40, Si<0.40, Cu, Mn, Mg, V or Ti <0.10, other elements <0.05 each and 0.15 total.

Abstract: The roll body (110) of the invention for a continuous casting machine is able to carry a cylindrical shell (111) in its central part and includes a cooling circuit (200), the circuit having at least one cooling liquid supply conduit (30), at least one cooling liquid evacuation conduit (40), at least one distribution collector (70), at least one evacuation collector (80), at least one distribution pipe (50, 60) connecting each collector to the corresponding conduit, and a plurality of ring channels (90) connecting the supply and evacuation collectors, the collectors and ring channels being used to place the cooling liquid circulating in the circuit in contact with the inner surface of the shell (111) such as to cool the shell, and is characterized in that the collectors (70, 80) are arranged such as to produce both in the peripheral direction and in the longitudinal direction an alternation of distribution collectors (70) and evacuation collectors (80).