Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding and products made therefrom are disclosed. Generally, the methods include preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product for anodizing, then anodizing the 7xxx aluminum alloy product, and then contacting the anodized 7xxx aluminum alloy product with an appropriate chemical to create a functionalized layer. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy products may realize improved shear bonding performance.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding and products made therefrom are disclosed. Generally, the methods include preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product for anodizing, then anodizing the 7xxx aluminum alloy product, and then contacting the anodized 7xxx aluminum alloy product with an appropriate chemical to create a functionalized layer. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy products may realize improved shear bonding performance.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding and products made therefrom are disclosed. Generally, the methods include preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product for anodizing, then anodizing the 7xxx aluminum alloy product, and then contacting the anodized 7xxx aluminum alloy product with an appropriate chemical to create a functionalized layer. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy products may realize improved shear bonding performance.

Abstract: A preparation method for adhesive bonding of magnesium-containing aluminum alloy products includes a magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product including a matrix and a surface oxide layer overlying the matrix. The magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product also includes intermetallic particles at least proximal the surface oxide layer. The method also includes ablating at least some of the intermetallic particles via an energy source, and in the absence of melting of the matrix of the magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: A preparation method for adhesive bonding of magnesium-containing aluminum alloy products includes a magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product including a matrix and a surface oxide layer overlying the matrix. The magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product also includes intermetallic particles at least proximal the surface oxide layer. The method also includes ablating at least some of the intermetallic particles via an energy source, and in the absence of melting of the matrix of the magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: A method for resistance spot welding aluminum alloys includes reducing the electrical resistance of an outer surface of the stackup in contact with the anode while leaving the faying surfaces at higher resistances, e.g., by grit blasting the anode contacting surface. High resistance electrodes, e.g., with refractory metal content may be used. Stackups of greater than two members may be used. Sheet material may be prepared having the lower and higher resistance surfaces and used with other sheets having higher resistance surfaces. The cathode contacting surface of the stackup may also have a reduced resistance. The method and sheet may be used in assembling vehicle bodies.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding are disclosed. Generally, the methods include chemical and/or mechanically preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product to reduce the amount of magnesium oxides while maintaining any copper-containing intermetallic particles located proximal the surface of the 7xxx aluminum alloy product. After preparation, a functionalized layer may be produced thereon for adhesive bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an EDT texture to an aluminum sheet has a rolling stand with at least one EDT surfaced roll capable of rolling the sheet at reductions <1%. The rolling is conducted with residual or no lubrication and imparts a texture on the scale of about 1 ?m to the surface of the sheet at low roll force.

Abstract: A preparation method for adhesive bonding of magnesium-containing aluminum alloy products includes a magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product including a matrix and a surface oxide layer overlying the matrix. The magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product also includes intermetallic particles at least proximal the surface oxide layer. The method also includes ablating at least some of the intermetallic particles via an energy source, and in the absence of melting of the matrix of the magnesium-containing aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding and products made therefrom are disclosed. Generally, the methods include preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product for anodizing, then anodizing the 7xxx aluminum alloy product, and then contacting the anodized 7xxx aluminum alloy product with an appropriate chemical to create a functionalized layer. The new 7xxx aluminum alloy products may realize improved shear bonding performance.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include a preparing step, including induction heating at least a portion of an aluminum alloy (AA) product and optionally quenching the induction heated AA product. After the preparing step, the methods include one of a contacting step and a bonding step. The contacting step includes contacting the at least a portion of the AA product with one of: a deoxidizing agent and a functionalization solution, where between the preparing and contacting steps the method is absent of any surface oxide treating steps of the AA product. The bonding step includes bonding the at least a portion of the AA product with a second material, thereby creating an as-bonded AA product, where between the preparing and bonding steps the method is absent of any surface oxide treating steps of the AA product. The methods may be employed to produce AA products for structural adhesive bonding applications.

Abstract: Methods of preparing 7xxx aluminum alloy products for adhesive bonding are disclosed. Generally, the methods include chemical and/or mechanically preparing a 7xxx aluminum alloy product to reduce the amount of magnesium oxides while maintaining any copper-containing intermetallic particles located proximal the surface of the 7xxx aluminum alloy product. After preparation, a functionalized layer may be produced thereon for adhesive bonding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an EDT texture to an aluminum sheet has a rolling stand with at least one EDT surfaced roll capable of rolling the sheet at reductions<1%. The rolling is conducted with residual or no lubrication and imparts a texture on the scale of about 1 ?m to the surface of the sheet at low roll force.

Abstract: A material handler formed from isotropic textured aluminum sheet rolled by rolls indented with spherical media, such as steel ball bearings, producing a sheet with a low coefficient of friction relative to particulate matter like flour. The slippery sheeting may be used to make tanks, silos, conduits and guides to facilitate storage and flow of the particulate matter.

Abstract: A material handler formed from isotropic textured aluminum sheet rolled by rolls indented with spherical media, such as steel ball bearings, producing a sheet with a low coefficient of friction relative to particulate matter like flour. The slippery sheeting may be used to make tanks, silos, conduits and guides to facilitate storage and flow of the particulate matter.

Abstract: A method for surface treating work rolls to produce isotropic textured aluminum sheet features indenting the surface of the working rolls that produce the sheet with spherical media such as steel ball bearings having the requisite properties to avoid fracture and resulting in a smooth surface lacking facets. The spherical media can be introduced into a nip between two rolls and indent by compression, but ultrasonic peening or knurling. The aluminum sheet produced by the roll has properties that facilitate mechanical forming, such as when the sheet is processed by forming tools.

Abstract: A method for surface treating work rolls to produce isotropic textured aluminum sheet features shot-peening the surface of the working rolls that produce the sheet. The media may be steel balls, such as ball bearings or other media, such as glass or ceramic balls, depending upon the optical properties desired for the aluminum sheet, e.g., in terms of diffuseness or brightness of reflection. The various parameters of shot-peening can be varied to accommodate given properties of the roll, such as hardness and existing surface texture to achieve a given desired surface texture. A sheet surface with target properties and the work roll processing needed to produce it may be generated by computer modeling.