Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloys are disclosed. In one embodiment, a new 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product includes from 0.75 to 1.05 wt. % Si, from 0.65 to 0.95 wt. % Mg, wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is not greater than 0.99:1, from 0.50 to 0.75 wt. % Cu, from 0.02 to 0.40 wt. % Mn, from 0.06 to 0.26 wt. % Cr, wherein (wt. % Mn)+(wt. % Cr) is at least 0.22 wt. %, from 0.01 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, up to 0.25 wt. % Zn, up to 0.20 wt. % Zr, up to 0.20 wt. % V, and up to 0.15 wt. % Ti, the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.

Abstract: New aluminum alloys are disclosed. The new aluminum alloys may include from 0.70 to 1.4 wt. % Si, from 0.70 to 1.3 wt. % Mg, wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is not greater than 1.40, from 0.70 - 3.0 wt. % Zn, from 0.55 to 1.3 wt. % Cu, wherein the total amount of Si+Mg+Zn+Cu is not greater than 4.25 wt. %, from 0.01 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, up to 0.70 wt. % Mn, up to 0.15 wt. % Cr, up to 0.20 wt. % Zr, up to 0.20 wt. % V, and up to 0.25 wt. % Ti, the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements and impurities. The new aluminum alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as an improved combination of strength, formability and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloys having an improved combination of properties are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy generally include 0.65-0.85 wt. % Si, 0.40-0.59 wt. % Mg, wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is from 0.47 to 0.90, 0.05-0.35 wt. % Fe, 0.04-0.13 wt. % Mn, 0-0.20 wt. % Cu, 0-0.15 wt. % Cr, 0-0.15 wt. % Zr, 0-0.15 wt. % Ti, 0-0.10 wt. % Zn, 0-0.05 wt. % V, the balance being aluminum and impurities.

Abstract: A recrystallized aluminum alloy having brass texture and Goss texture, wherein the amount of brass texture exceeds the amount of Goss texture, and wherein the recrystallized aluminum alloy exhibits at least about the same tensile yield strength and fracture toughness as a compositionally equivalent unrecrystallized alloy of the same product form and of similar thickness and temper.

Abstract: A recrystallized aluminum alloy having brass texture and Goss texture, wherein the amount of brass texture exceeds the amount of Goss texture, and wherein the recrystallized aluminum alloy exhibits at least about the same tensile yield strength and fracture toughness as a compositionally equivalent unrecrystallized alloy of the same product form and of similar thickness 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: New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.

Abstract: Improved 5xxx aluminum alloys and products made therefrom are disclosed. The new 5xxx aluminum alloy products may achieve an improved combination of properties due to, for example, the presence of copper. In one embodiment, the new 5xxx aluminum alloy products are able to achieve an improved combination of properties by solution heat treatment.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy products having improved ballistics performance are disclosed. The aluminum alloy products may be underaged. In one embodiment, the underaged aluminum alloy products realize an FSP resistance that it is better than that of a peak strength aged version of the aluminum alloy product. In one embodiment, ballistics performance criteria is selected and the aluminum alloy product is underaged an amount sufficient to achieve a ballistics performance that is at least as good as the ballistics performance criteria.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy products having improved ballistics performance are disclosed. The aluminum alloy products may be underaged. In one embodiment, the underaged aluminum alloy products realize an FSP resistance that it is better than that of a peak strength aged version of the aluminum alloy product. In one embodiment, ballistics performance criteria is selected and the aluminum alloy product is underaged an amount sufficient to achieve a ballistics performance that is at least as good as the ballistics performance criteria.

Abstract: Improved 5xxx aluminum alloys and products made therefrom are disclosed. The new 5xxx aluminum alloy products may achieve an improved combination of properties due to, for example, the presence of copper. In one embodiment, the new 5xxx aluminum alloy products are able to achieve an improved combination of properties by solution heat treatment.

Abstract: A recrystallized aluminum alloy having brass texture and Goss texture, wherein the amount of brass texture exceeds the amount of Goss texture, and wherein the recrystallized aluminum alloy exhibits at least about the same tensile yield strength and fracture toughness as a compositionally equivalent unrecrystallized alloy of the same product form and of similar thickness and temper.