Abstract: New aluminum alloys are disclosed and generally include 0.6-1.4 wt. % Si, 0.25-0.90 wt. % Mg, wherein the ratio of wt. % Si to wt. % Mg is from 1.05:1 to 5.0:1, 0.25-2.0 wt. % Cu, 0.10-3.5 wt. % Zn, 0.01-1.0 wt. % Fe, up to 0.8 wt. % Mn, up to 0.25 wt. % Cr, up to 0.20 wt. % Zr, up to 0.20 wt. % V, and up to 0.15 wt. % Ti, wherein the total of Fe+Mn+Cr+Zr+V+Ti is not greater than 2.0 wt. %, the balance being aluminum and impurities. The new aluminum alloys may include Q phase precipitates. In some embodiments, the solvus temperature of the Q phase precipitates is not greater than 950° F.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, is a method of forming an O temper or T temper product that includes obtaining a coil of a non-ferrous alloy strip as feedstock; uncoiling the coil of the feedstock; heating the feedstock to a temperature between a recrystallization temperature of the non-ferrous alloy and 10 degrees Fahrenheit below a solidus temperature of the non-ferrous alloy; and quenching the feedstock to form a heat-treated product having am O temper or T temper. The non-ferrous alloy strip used in the method excludes aluminum alloys having 0.4 weight percent silicon, less than 0.2 weight percent iron, 0.35 to 0.40 weight percent copper, 0.9 weight percent manganese, and 1 weight percent magnesium.

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: New aluminum alloys are disclosed and generally include 0.6-1.4 wt. % Si, 0.25-0.90 wt. % Mg, wherein the ratio of wt. % Si to wt. % Mg is from 1.05:1 to 5.0:1, 0.25-2.0 wt. % Cu, 0.10-3.5 wt. % Zn, 0.01-1.0 wt. % Fe, up to 0.8 wt. % Mn, up to 0.25 wt. % Cr, up to 0.20 wt. % Zr, up to 0.20 wt. % V, and up to 0.15 wt. % Ti, wherein the total of Fe+Mn+Cr+Zr+V+Ti is not greater than 2.0 wt. %, the balance being aluminum and impurities. The new aluminum alloys may include Q phase precipitates. In some embodiments, the solvus temperature of the Q phase precipitates is not greater than 950° F.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rolling aluminum sheet uses a texture roll to roll the sheet while is it hot and has reduced yield strength. The texture rolling may be used to remediate defects in the sheet at a variety of stages in rolling, and may facilitate subsequent rolling stages.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to consumer electronics devices and use of additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, a consumer electronics case has a body, at least one sidewall extending perimetrically around the body to define an inner case wall and an outer case wall, and at least one additively manufactured component or feature on the body.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for additively manufacturing a feedstock material to create an AM preform, wherein the AM preform is configured with a body having an internal passage defined therein, wherein the internal passage further includes at least one of a void and a channel; inserting a filler material into the internal passage of the AM preform; closing the AM preform with an enclosure component such that the filler material is retained within the internal passage of the AM preform; and deforming the AM preform to a sufficient amount to create a product having an internal passage therein, wherein the product is configured with wrought properties for that material via the deforming step.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for formation of a multicomponent metal alloy ingot or product in which granulated metal feedstock, under a high pressure inert environment, is introduced onto a rotating platen or previously deposited layer on the rotating platen. As the granulated feedstock is deposited on the platen, the platen is rotated such that a segment of the platen having the feedstock thereon passes through an energy generator field such as a melting laser beam or eddy current induction melting field. As it passes it is melted to form an arcuate segment of melt. The melt is then rotated out from under the energy beam and cooled into a solid state of the desired alloy as a next contiguous segment of feedstock is introduced and the process repeated until a layer is formed. The platen may then be indexed lower and a new layer is formed in the same manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to new metal powders for use in additive manufacturing, and aluminum alloy products made from such metal powders via additive manufacturing. The composition(s) and/or physical properties of the metal powders may be tailored. In turn, additive manufacturing may be used to produce a tailored aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing metal powder feedstocks for additive manufacturing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes first gathering a first feedstock from a first powder supply of an additive manufacturing system, second gathering a second feedstock from a second powder supply of the additive manufacturing system, wherein at least one of the first feedstock and the second feedstock includes metal particles therein, combining the first and second feedstocks, thereby producing a metal powder blend, and providing the metal powder blend to a build space of the additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of additively manufacturing multi-region alloy products. The multi-region products generally comprise a first region having a first crystallographic structure, and a second region having a second crystallographic structure, different than the first, wherein at least one of the first and the second crystallographic structures is a multi-phase microstructure. In one embodiment, an energy source is used to selectively produce at least some of the first region and/or at least some of the second region. The locations and/or volumes of one or more regions may be preselected and/or controlled so as to produce multi-region products having tailored microstructures.

Abstract: Heat treatable aluminum alloy strips and methods for making the same are disclosed. The heat treatable aluminum alloy strips are continuously cast and quenched, with optional rolling occurring before and/or after quenching. After quenching, the heat treatable aluminum alloy strip is neither annealed nor solution heat treated.

Abstract: Wires for use in electron beam or plasma arc additive manufacturing of titanium alloys are disclosed. The wires have a first portion comprising a first material, and a second portion comprising a second material. The combination of the first and second materials results in a titanium alloy product of the appropriate composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to new metal powders, wires and other physical forms for use in additive manufacturing, welding and cladding, and multi-component alloy products made from such metal powders, wires and forms via additive manufacturing, welding and cladding. The composition(s) and/or physical properties of the metal powders, wires or forms may be tailored. In turn, additive manufacturing, welding and cladding may be used to produce a tailored multi-component alloy product.

Abstract: Fertilizer compositions are provided, where a fertilizer composition includes: an inner portion including a nitrogen containing material; and an outer portion covering the inner portion, the outer portion including a release agent (e.g. HTC, BR).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to new metal powders for use in additive manufacturing, and aluminum alloy products made from such metal powders via additive manufacturing. The composition(s) and/or physical properties of the metal powders may be tailored. In turn, additive manufacturing may be used to produce a tailored aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, is a method of forming an O temper or T temper product that includes obtaining a coil of a non-ferrous alloy strip as feedstock; uncoiling the coil of the feedstock; heating the feedstock to a temperature between a recrystallization temperature of the non-ferrous alloy and 10 degrees Fahrenheit below a solidus temperature of the non-ferrous alloy; and quenching the feedstock to form a heat-treated product having am O temper or T temper. The non-ferrous alloy strip used in the method excludes aluminum alloys having 0.4 weight percent silicon, less than 0.2 weight percent iron, 0.35 to 0.40 weight percent copper, 0.9 weight percent manganese, and 1 weight percent magnesium.

Abstract: Heat treatable aluminum alloy strips and methods for making the same are disclosed. The heat treatable aluminum alloy strips are continuously cast and quenched, with optional rolling occurring before and/or after quenching. After quenching, the heat treatable aluminum alloy strip is neither annealed nor solution heat treated.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for additively manufacturing a feedstock material to create an AM preform, wherein the AM preform is configured with a body having an internal passage defined therein, wherein the internal passage further includes at least one of a void and a channel; inserting a filler material into the internal passage of the AM preform; closing the AM preform with an enclosure component such that the filler material is retained within the internal passage of the AM preform; and deforming the AM preform to a sufficient amount to create a product having an internal passage therein, wherein the product is configured with wrought properties for that material via the deforming step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rolling aluminum sheet uses a texture roll to roll the sheet while is it hot and has reduced yield strength. The texture rolling may be used to remediate defects in the sheet at a variety of stages in rolling, and may facilitate subsequent rolling stages.