Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.

Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.

Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.

Abstract: New magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies generally include 3.0-6.0 wt. % magnesium and 2.5-5.0 wt. % zinc, where at least one of the magnesium and the zinc is the predominate alloying element of the aluminum alloy bodies other than aluminum, and wherein (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.6 to 2.40, and may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat treated aluminum alloy product in a shortened period of time, the method comprising: (a) providing a heat treatable aluminum alloy; (b) working the heat treatable aluminum alloy at a solutionizing temperature to form a product; (c) first stage cooling the product to a critical temperature at which precipitation of second phase particles of the heat treatable aluminum alloy is negligible, wherein the first stage cooling comprises a first stage cooling rate from about 15° F. per second to about 100° F. per second; (d) second stage cooling the product to ambient temperature; (e) heating the product to an artificial aging temperature; and (f) artificially aging the product at the artificial aging temperature for a predetermined artificial aging time to form the heat treated aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: An aluminum casting alloy includes at least about 0.5 wt % Ni and 1-3 wt % Mn. It further includes zirconium or scandium for precipitation hardening during T5 heat treatment.

Abstract: There is claimed an Al—Ni—Mn based alloy for die casting, squeeze casting, permanent mold casting, sand casting and/or semi-solid metal forming. The composition of this alloy includes, by weight percent: about 2-6% Ni, about 1-3% Mn, less than about 1% Fe, less than about 1% Si, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. It is suitable for aerospace and automotive cast parts.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-treated aluminum alloy casting in a shortened period of time, the method comprising: (a) providing a heat treatable aluminum alloy casting at a solutionizing temperature; (b) first stage cooling the heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to a critical temperature at which precipitation of second phase particles of the heat treatable aluminum alloy casting is negligible, wherein the first stage cooling comprises a first stage cooling rate from about 15° F. per second to about 100° F. per second; (c) second stage cooling said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to ambient temperature; (d) heating said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting to an artificial aging temperature; and (e) artificially aging said heat treatable aluminum alloy casting at said artificial aging temperature for a predetermined artificial aging time to form said heat-treated aluminum alloy casting.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat treated aluminum alloy product in a shortened period of time, the method comprising: (a) providing a heat treatable aluminum alloy; (b) working the heat treatable aluminum alloy at a solutionizing temperature to form a product; (c) first stage cooling the product to a critical temperature at which precipitation of second phase particles of the heat treatable aluminum alloy is negligible, wherein the first stage cooling comprises a first stage cooling rate from about 15° F. per second to about 100° F. per second; (d) second stage cooling the product to ambient temperature; (e) heating the product to an artificial aging temperature; and (f) artificially aging the product at the artificial aging temperature for a predetermined artificial aging time to form the heat treated aluminum alloy product.

Abstract: There is claimed an Al—Ni—Mn based alloy for die casting, squeeze casting, permanent mold casting, sand casting and/or semi-solid metal forming. The composition of this alloy includes, by weight percent: about 0.5-6% Ni, about 1-3% Mn, less than about 1% Fe, less than about 1% Si, less than about 0.3% Ti, and less than about 0.06% B, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. It is suitable for aerospace and automotive cast parts.

Abstract: An Al—Mg based alloy sheet product in which the crystallographic texture exhibits a ratio of the volume fraction of grains in the S orientation {123}<634> to the volume fraction of grains in the CUBE orientation {100}<001> (S/Cube) being 1 or more, and is comprised of grains with a volume fraction of about 10% or less in the GOSS orientation {110}<001>, wherein the grain size is in a range of about 20 to 100 &mgr;m demonstrates good formability.

Abstract: By careful control of composition and processing, Al—Mg based alloy sheets with preferred grain sizes and crystallographic textures that result in good press formability are disclosed. The Al—Mg alloy preferably contains 2-6 wt % Mg, and at least 0.03 wt % of at least one element selected from Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, and Cu. The crystallographic texture is comprised of grains with a volume fraction in a range of about 30-50% in the CUBE orientation {100}<001>, and a volume fraction in a range of about 10 to 20% in the BRASS orientation {110}<112>, wherein the grain size is within a range of about 50 to 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.00 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 460.degree. C. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: By careful control of composition and processing, Al--Mg based alloy sheets with preferred grain sizes and crystallographic textures that result in good press formability are disclosed. The Al--Mg alloy preferably contains 2-6 wt % Mg, and at least 0.03 wt % of at least one element selected from Fe, Mn, Cr, Zr, and Cu. The crystallographic texture is comprised of grains with a volume fraction in a range of about 5% to 20% in the CUBE orientation {100} <001>, a volume fraction in a range of about 1% to 5% in the GOSS orientation {110} <001>, a volume fraction in a range of about 1% to 10% in each of the BRASS orientation {110} <112>, S orientation {123} <634>, and COPPER orientation {112} <111>, wherein the grain size is in a range of about 20 to 70 .mu.m.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.00 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 460.degree. C. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising about 0.8 to about 1.3 wt. % silicon, about 0.2 to about 0.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.5 to about 1.8 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.01 to about 0.2 wt. % iron, the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities: (b) working the body to produce a sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is performed at a temperature greater than 840.degree. F. and the sheet is rapidly quenched. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of excellent formability and good strength.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising: about 0.8 to about 1.5 wt. % silicon, about 0.2 to about 0.65 wt. % magnesium, about 0.02 to about 0.1 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.2 wt. % iron; and the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; (b) working the body to produce a the sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is preformed at a temperature greater than 860.degree. F. and the sheet is quenched by a water spray. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of formability, strength and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An improved high strength aluminum alloy product having good combinations of strength, toughness, corrosion resistance and the ability to be subjected in sheet or strip form to roll forming or shaping operations to produce elongate stringer or other aerospace structural reinforcing members. The alloy consists essentially of about 7.6 to 8.4% zinc, about 1.8 to 2.2% magnesium, about 2 to 2.6% copper and at least one element selected from zirconium, vanadium and hafnium present in a total amount not exceeding about 0.5%, preferably about 0.05 to 0.25% zirconium, the balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The improved strip is preferably produced by homogenizing, hot rolling and thermally treating or annealing at about 750.degree. to 850.degree. F., preferably around 800.degree. F.