Aluminum(al) Or Aluminum Base Alloy Present Patents (Class 148/535)
  • Patent number: 7708843
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a part having very high mechanical properties from a hot-rolled or cold-rolled steel strip, comprising precoating said strip with aluminum or an aluminum alloy, cold deformation of the coated strip, possible cutting of the excess sheet with a view to the final geometry of the part, heating of the part so as to form an intermetallic compound from the steel/precoat interface and to austenitize the steel, transfer of the part to a tool and cooling of the part in the tool at a rate such that the steel has, after being cooled, a martensitic or bainitic structure or a martensite-bainite structure. The precoating is carried out by electroplating, by chemical or physical vapor deposition or by co-rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal France
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Laurent, Jacques Devroc
  • Publication number: 20100101688
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum alloy brazing sheet for heat exchanger which excels in resistance to corrosion from its inside and simultaneously attains satisfactory erosion resistance and high strength. This includes a core material of an Al alloy containing predetermined amounts of Si, Mn, Cu, Mg, and Ti; a clad material of an Al alloy containing predetermined amounts of Si, Mn, and Zn, having a predetermined thickness, and lying on one side of the core material so as to constitute an inner side of a tube member of the heat exchanger; and a filler material of an Al alloy containing a predetermined amount of Si, having a predetermined thickness, and lying on the other side of the core material so as to constitute an outer side of the tube member. The crystal grain size of the core material after brazing under specific conditions is 50 ?m or more but less than 300 ?m in a rolling direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Fumihiro Koshigoe, Toshiki Ueda, Shimpei Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100055492
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising a MAX phase material having the formula Mn+1AXn, wherein M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, X one or both of C and N, and n=1-3, wherein the MAX phase material defines a plurality of pores; and, a metal component comprising a low melting point metal, wherein the metal occupies at least some of the pores. Also disclosed are method comprising providing a porous green body comprising a particulate material having the formula Mn+1AXn, wherein M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, X one or both of C and N, and n=1-3; and, infiltrating at least some of the pores of the green body with a low melting point metal, thereby providing a composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michel W. Barsoum, Shahram Amini
  • Publication number: 20100001133
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for joining a first member (1) comprising an aluminum alloy to a second member (2) comprising a titanium alloy and having at least one edge with a thickness e, comprising the steps of (i) chamfering said edge of said second member into a tapered truncated shape having on a first side a first tapering angle ?1, on a second side a second tapering angle ?2 and a minimum thickness t, wherein ?1 and ?2 are greater than or equal to zero, the sum of ?1 and ?2 is between 10° and 50° and t is between 0.05 e and 0.3 e, (ii) placing said first member and said chamfered edge of said second member (21) in an abutting relationship defining a geometry to be weld-brazed (3), (iii) heating the surface areas of said members adjacent the abutment to a temperature above the melting temperature of said aluminum alloy and below the melting temperature of said titanium alloy, in the presence of an inert gas (5) and of a filler metal (4) to obtain a weld-brazed joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: ALCAN TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
    Inventors: Stefan KEMPA, Urs SCHUEPBACH
  • Patent number: 7614539
    Abstract: A method for forming an aluminum alloy article having improved mechanical properties using a solid-state joining process in which the problem of ductility reduction is minimized by conducting a thermal exposure treatment prior to solution heat treatment. This thermal exposure treatment, done at a temperature below the solution heat treatment temperature, releases stored energy in the aluminum-alloy material. The aluminum-alloy material then does not have sufficient energy to cause recrystallization and abnormal grain growth during the subsequent solution heat treatment process. The resultant aluminum-alloy material has a restored mechanical strength with only a minor, but acceptable, decrease in original ductility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Krishnan K. Sankaran, Richard J. Lederich, Kevin T. Slattery
  • Patent number: 7608345
    Abstract: A method of producing an aluminium alloy brazing sheet for the manufacturing of light brazed assemblies, wherein said brazing sheet has good formability, combined with a low susceptibility to core penetration in the end annealed as-produced condition after stretching, forming and/or shaping and brazing are disclosed. Assemblies made according to the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Bürger, Scott W. Haller, Guy Laliberté
  • Publication number: 20090250144
    Abstract: A method of joining heat-treatable aluminum alloy members by friction stir welding, including the steps of: a T4-treatment-performing step of performing a T4 treatment on heat-treatable aluminum alloy members so as to impart T4 temper to the heat-treatable aluminum alloy members; a joining step of joining the heat-treatable aluminum alloy members with T4 temper by friction stir welding to provide a joined product; and a reversion-treatment-performing step of performing a reversion treatment, the reversion-treatment-performing step being carried out prior to or after the joining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kumagai, Tadashi Minoda, Hidetoshi Uchida, Koji Tanaka, Sunao Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090165901
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aluminum alloy clad sheet for a heat exchanger including a core layer, a sacrificial layer formed on one surface of the core layer, and a filler layer including an Al—Si based alloy formed on the other surface of the core layer. The core layer includes a predetermined amount of Si, Cu, Mn, Ti, and Mg, the remainder including Al and inevitable impurities, and the sacrificial layer includes a predetermined amount of Si, Mn, and Zn, the remainder including Al and inevitable impurities. The core layer has a crystal grain size after the brazing heat treatment at 595° C. for 3 minutes of at least 50 ?m and less than 300 ?m. The filler layer and the sacrificial layer are defined for their thickness, and the number of intermetallic compounds in the core layer is also defined to a predetermined range. By such constitution, the aluminum alloy clad sheet has improved fatigue life and post-braze strength, high corrosion resistance, and excellent erosion resistance and brazeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Fumihiro KOSHIGOE, Toshiki Ueda, Shimpei Kimura, Masao Kinefuchi, Katsushi Matsumoto, Eiichi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20090148721
    Abstract: An Al—Mg—Si based aluminum alloy sheet having undergone normal-temperature aging (or being in a underaged state) after a solution treatment thereof is, before press forming, subjected to a heating treatment (partial reversion heating treatment) in which the alloy sheet is partially heated to a temperature in the range of 150 to 350° C. for a time of not more than 5 minutes so that the difference in strength (difference in 0.2% proof stress) between the heated part and the non-heated part will be not less than 10 MPa. The alloy sheet thus treated is subjected to cold press forming in the condition where the heated part with low strength is put in contact with a wrinkle holding-down appliance of the press and the non-heated part with high strength is put in contact with the shoulder part (radius) of the punch. In the partial reversion heating treatment, the temperature rise rate and the cooling rate in cooling down to 100° C. or below are set to be not less than 30° C./min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Akira HIBINO, Koji Ichitani
  • Patent number: 7494719
    Abstract: A component having a platinum-aluminum substrate surface region which is formed in the area of the substrate surface of the component by diffusion of platinum and aluminum into the substrate surface and which contains platinum and aluminum as well as the constituents of the substrate composition. The integrated aluminum content and/or the integrated platinum content in the substrate area is less than 18 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Affeldt, Anja Kliewe, Lothar Peichl, Heinrich Walter
  • Publication number: 20090042054
    Abstract: Nb—Si based alloy articles comprising a Nb—Si based alloy upon which is disposed an environmentally-resistant coating are described. They include a coating comprising at least one phase selected from the group consisting of M(Al,Si)3, M5(Al,Si)3, and M3Si5Al2, wherein M is one or more of Nb, Ti, Hf, Cr. Such coating can improve the environmental (e.g., in oxidation-promoting environments) resistance of a Nb—Si based alloy and alloy articles. Methods for preparing these articles are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Ramgopal Darolia, Voramon Supatarawanich Dheeradhada, Richard DiDomizio, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti, Joseph David Rigney, Pazhayannur Ramanathan Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7485374
    Abstract: A heat exchanger which has i) a fin material comprising a triple-layer clad material constituted of a core material composed of an aluminum alloy containing from 0.5 to 1.8% by weight of Mn and from 0.5 to 3.0% by weight of Zn and, provided on both sides of the core material, a brazing filler material composed of an Al—Si alloy containing from 6.5 to 13.0% by weight of Si and from 0.15 to 0.60% by weight of Cu and ii) an aluminum alloy tube having a Zn concentrated surface; the both having been brazed with each other; wherein, after brazing, recrystallized grains of the core material have an average length of from 100 to 1,000 ?m in the lengthwise section of a fin and the recrystallized grains of the core material are 4 or less in average number in the thickness direction of that lengthwise section. This heat exchanger is improved in the durability of fin joints and fins themselves and their strength after corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Suzuki, Nobuyuki Kakimoto, Junji Ninomiya, Yoshiyuki Oya
  • Publication number: 20090020585
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy brazing sheet having high strength comprising: a core alloy; an Al—Si-based filler alloy cladded on one side or both sides of the core alloy, wherein the core alloy is composed of an aluminum alloy containing 0.3-1.2% (mass %, the same applies the below) Si, 0.05-0.4% Fe, 0.3-1.2% Cu, 0.3-1.8% Mn, 0.05-0.6% Mg, and containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of 0.02-0.3% Ti, 0.02-0.3% Zr, 0.02-0.3% Cr and 0.02-0.3% V, the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities; and wherein, after the aluminum alloy brazing sheet is subjected to brazing, the core alloy features a metallic structure in which a density of intermetallic compounds having a grain diameter of at least 0.1 ?m is at most ten grains per ?m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukumoto, Hiroshi Kano, Akio Niikura, Yoichiro Bekki, Kenji Negura, Tatsuo Ozaki, Toshihide Ninagawa, Keiichi Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20090000704
    Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7407714
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing an Al—Mn alloy sheet with improved liquid film migration resistance when used as core alloy in brazing sheet, including the steps of: casting an ingot having a composition comprising (in weight percent): 0.5<Mn?1.7, 0.06<Cu?1.5, Si?1.3, Mg?0.25, Ti<0.2, Zn?2.0, Fe?0.5, at least one element of the group of elements of 0.05<Zr?0.25 and 0.05<Cr?0.25; other elements <0.05 each and total <0.20, balance Al; homogenisation and preheat; hot rolling; cold rolling (including intermediate anneals whenever required), and wherein the homogenisation temperature is at least 450° C. for a duration of at least 1 hour followed by an air cooling at a rate of at least 20° C./h and wherein the pre-heat temperature is at least 400° C. for at least 0.5 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignees: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH, Aleris Aluminum Canada S.E.C.
    Inventors: Scott W. Haller, Job Anthonius Van Der Hoeven, Klaus Vieregge, Achim Bürger, Sampath Desikan
  • Patent number: 7393595
    Abstract: A composite element comprises:(a) a metal or metal alloy component having an elastic modulus that decreases with increasing temperature in a temperature range; and (b) sufficient amount of a shape memory alloy component having an elastic modulus that shows an increase in elastic modulus with increasing temperature in the said temperature range, such that the elastic modulus of the composite element does not fall substantially as the temperature is increased across the said temperature range. An article comprising such a composite element is suitable for use in high temperature applications, including motor vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Lakshman Chandrasekaran, Alan J Shakesheff
  • Patent number: 7374827
    Abstract: A metallurgical product consists essentially of a core aluminum alloy, purposefully tailored through chemistry and processing route to resist recrystallization during the brazing cycle to intentionally exploit the higher strengths immediately after brazing of a deformed and recovered microstructure, the core aluminum alloy being bonded on one side to an aluminum alloy interliner designed to be resistant to localized erosion, which, in turn, is bonded to a 4xxx calling alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond J. Kilmer
  • Patent number: 7294411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brazing sheet product comprising a core sheet, a clad layer on said core sheet made of an aluminum alloy containing silicon in an amount in the range of 4 to 14% by weight, an optional layer comprising nickel on the outersurface of said clad layer, and a diffusion layer comprising nickel-tin alloy on the outer surface of said nickel layer. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a brazing product comprising the process step of plating different metal layers and subjecting the plated brazing product to an annealing treatment by holding the plated brazing product at a temperature in the range of 100 to 500° C. for a period of 1 sec. to 300 minutes to form a diffusion layer comprising nickel-tin alloy on the outer surface of said layer comprising nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Jacques Hubert Olga Joseph Wijenberg, Adrianus Jacobus Witterbrood, Joop Nicolaas Mooij
  • Patent number: 7258754
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a bare aluminum electrical conductor including a step of heat treating the conductor while wound on a winding form. The method comprises the step of coating the outer surface of the aluminum conductor with an inorganic powder material prior to winding the wire or cable on the winding form. The invention also relates to a method of protecting an aluminum conductor from damage during heat treatment and shipment when wound on a winding form. This method comprises providing a layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy between said conductor and parts of said winding form that would contact said wound conductor if not for said layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Rosaire Bégin, Danny S. Elder, Graham Henry Stratford
  • Patent number: 7247392
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy heat exchanger having a tube composed of a thin aluminum alloy clad material, wherein, in the clad material, one face of an aluminum alloy core material containing Si 0.05–1.0 mass % is clad with an Al—Si-series filler material containing Si 5–20 mass %, and the other face is clad with a sacrificial material containing Zn 2–10 mass % and/or Mg 1–5 mass %, and wherein an element diffusion profile of the clad material by EPMA satisfies (1) and/or (2): L-LSi-LZn?40(?m) ??(1) L-LSi-LMg?5(?m) ??(2) wherein L is a tube wall thickness (?m); LSi is a position (?m) indicating an amount of Si diffused from the filler material; and LZn and LMg each represent a region (?m) indicating an amount of Zn or Mg diffused from the sacrificial material, respectively; and a method of producing the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Sugano, Noriyuki Yamada, Akio Niikura, Yoshiaki Ogiwara, Masaki Shimizu, Kenji Negura, Sunao Fukuda, Yoshihiko Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7235144
    Abstract: A process for forming a high-strength, wear-resistant composite layer on the surface of an aluminum alloy substrate from an applied additive material. The additive material consists of an alloy or powder mixture which contains aluminum, silicon and at least 15% by weight of iron. Irradiating the alloy powder or powder mixture which has been positioned on the surface of the aluminum alloy substrate using a laser melts together with the alloy or powder mixture and a superficial part of the aluminum alloy substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Claus, Reiner Heigel, Markus Kern
  • Patent number: 7226669
    Abstract: The present invention a high strength aluminium alloy brazing sheet, comprising an Al—Zn core layer and at least one clad layer, the core layer including the following composition (in weight percent): Zn 1.2 to 5.5 Mg 0.8 to 3.0 Mn 0.1 to 1.0 Cu <0.2 Si ?<0.35 Fe <0.5 optionally one or more of: Zr <0.3 Cr <0.3 V <0.3 Ti <0.2 Hf <0.3 Sc <0.5, the balance aluminium and incidental elements and impurities. The clad layer includes an Al—Si based filler alloy and is applied on at least one side of the core layer. The invention relates furthermore to a brazed assembly including such brazing sheet, to the use of such brazing sheet and to method for producing an aluminium alloy brazing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Achim Burger, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Patent number: 7226516
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminium OSF integrated circuit panel production method comprising surface preparation of two aluminium alloy sheets, deposition on one of the sheets of a weld-proof ink in reserved areas corresponding to the design of the circuit, connection by rolling of the sheets together, and expansion of the channels corresponding to the non-welded areas using a pressurised fluid, wherein one of the sheets is made of 1000 series alloy and the other of an alloy containing iron and manganese and such that Fe+Mn>0.8% (by weight), and preferentially >1, or 1.5%. The iron and manganese alloy is preferentially obtained by continuous casting of strips between two cooled rolls. The invention also relates to a continuous aluminium alloy integrated circuit panel production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Alcan Rhenalu
    Inventors: Yves Doremus, Laurent Poizat, Hayat Elghazal
  • Patent number: 7201811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making large spin blanks out of pieces of aluminum sheet or plate joined by friction stir welding to provide plate blank sizes greater than 156 inch (396 cm) in diameter. Blank sizes greater than 209 inch diameter enable manufacturing possibilities for large one-piece spun parts instead of constructing large structures from pieces. This also applies to sheet, except that the maximum width obtainable is 139 inches (353 cm). The availability of large blank sizes, particularly for sheet, permits the use of traditional spinning where bending is the predominant method of metal movement rather than stretching and spinning. As the present invention is a very cost effective approach, it provides a method for producing significantly more economical spin blanks between 156 and 209 inches in diameter than are obtainable for a single piece blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Henry W. Babel, Douglas J. Waldron, Ronaldo Reyes de Jesus, William F. Bozich
  • Patent number: 7150799
    Abstract: A weld nugget between aluminum alloy parts is inoculated with a material in order to refine the grain structure of the weld and thereby improve its mechanical strength. The inoculate may be a Ti or Na based compound in the form of a paste, powder or film, which is applied to the sheets before welding. The inoculation promotes nucleation of desirable equiaxed grain within the molten weld nugget as the weld cools and solidifies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Jilin University
    Inventors: Xihua Zhao, Lei Zhao, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7101448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a cladding for a metallic component, such as for example a tip of a turbine blade, which cladding is provided on that surface of the component which is to be clad, the process being simple and inexpensive to carry out in terms of manufacturing technology and involving the following steps: producing a slip by mixing a powder, which contains at least one of the elements Ni, Cr or Ce, with a binder; applying the slip to the surface which is to be clad; adding ceramic particles before or after the slip is applied; drying the slip at a temperature of from room temperature to 300° C.; and alitizing the layer of slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Wydra
  • Patent number: 6984457
    Abstract: (1) A titanium material composed of a substrate of pure titanium or titanium alloy and an aluminum-containing layer formed thereon having a thickness no smaller than 1 ?m and containing no less than 90 mass % aluminum or aluminum plus silicon. (2) A titanium material composed of a substrate of pure titanium or titanium alloy and an aluminum-containing layer formed thereon having a thickness no smaller than 1 ?m and containing no less than 90 mass % aluminum or aluminum plus silicon, with a layer of Al—Ti intermetallic compound interposed between them. (3) A titanium material as defined in (1) wherein the substrate contains 0.5-10 mass % aluminum. (4) A titanium material as defined in (1) wherein that surface of the substrate with which the aluminum-containing layer is in contact contains 20-50 atomic % nitrogen. (5) A titanium material as defined in (1) wherein a layer of aluminum nitride is formed in the interface between the substrate and the aluminum-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kobe Steel Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamamoto, Wataru Urushihara, Takashi Yashiki
  • Patent number: 6964818
    Abstract: A coated article includes formed of an alloy having a composition including nickel and aluminum, and a protective coating overlying and contacting the substrate. The protective coating is a mixture of a quasicrystalline metallic phase, and a non-quasicrystalline metallic phase comprising nickel and aluminum. The aluminum is present in an amount of from about 3 to about 35 percent by weight of the non-quasicrystalline metallic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ramgopal Darolia
  • Patent number: 6932879
    Abstract: An improved method of weldbonding utilizing inclusion bodies, placed directly between materials to be bonded or included in a weldbonding adhesive. The inclusion bodies maintain a gap between the materials to be welded which provides a gas releasing egress route to disperse the gas and gaseous byproducts produced during welding. This egress route substantially prevents the gases and gaseous byproducts from being expelled through the weld pool and the resultant degradation of the quality of the weld pool, particularly with coated materials, partial penetration welds, and such materials as 6000 series aluminum. The method further comprises an optional step of including a crack-reducing additive, applied either directly to the materials to be welded or included in the adhesive. A laser weldbonding embodiment may use a plurality of phased heat cycles to reduce weld imperfections, and enhance the effects of the adhesive and optional crack-reducing additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ely, Timothy M. Frech, George W. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6923876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process to manufacture a clad strip, preferably <1.5 mm thick, intended for the manufacture of brazed heat exchangers, comprising: casting a plate of core alloy comprising (% 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, homogenizing the plate between 550 and 630° C. for at least one hour, cladding one or two sides of the plate with a brazing aluminum alloy, preferentially containing 5 to 13% silicon, hot rolling followed by cold rolling of the plate to a thickness close to a final desired thickness, recrystallization annealing of the strip between 300 and 4000 C., strain hardening of the annealed strip to obtain a permanent deformation between 2 and 10% and to obtain the desired final thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Kucza, Sylvain Henry, Michel Mediouni, David Ebersolt, Nathalie Remond
  • Patent number: 6902828
    Abstract: A bright composite sheet product including a roll cast core and a clad material bonded to the core. The core is an aluminum alloy of the AA series 1XXX, 3XXX, 5XXX, or 8XXX, and the clad material contains at least 99.5 wt. % aluminum. The composite sheet products is particularly suited for use in lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Gazapo, Catalina Fernandez Rivera, Emilio Sanchez Suarez
  • Patent number: 6875292
    Abstract: A process of rejuvenating a diffusion aluminide coating on a component. The rejuvenation process involves treating the coating with an aqueous solution of nitric acid and phosphoric acid until at least part of the additive layer of the coating has been removed, but the diffusion zone underlying the additive layer remains. The exposed surface of the component is then re-aluminized to deposit additional aluminum to build up the additive layer to a desired thickness. While potentially useful for a variety of situations, the process is particularly applicable to a diffusion aluminide coating that has been deposited on a component to have an excessively thick additive layer, and prior to the component being returned to service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Roy Worthing, Jr., Shannon Lynette Cismoski
  • Patent number: 6852273
    Abstract: (a) The metal matrix composite is suitable for the manufacture of flat or shaped titanium aluminide, zirconium aluminide, or niobium aluminide articles and layered metal composites having improved mechanical properties such as lightweight plates and sheets for aircraft and automotive applications, thin cross-section vanes and airfoils, heat-sinking lightweight electronic substrates, bulletproof structures for vests, partition walls and doors, as well as sporting goods such as helmets, golf clubs, sole plates, crown plates, etc. The composite material consists of a metal (e.g., Ti, Zr, or Nb-based alloy) matrix at least partially intercalated with a three-dimensional skeletal metal aluminide structure, whereby ductility of the matrix metal is higher than that of the metal aluminide skeleton. The method for manufacturing includes the following steps: (a) providing an aluminum skeleton structure having open porosity of 50-95 vol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: ADMA Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Ivanov, Vladimir S. Moxson
  • Patent number: 6843861
    Abstract: A coated nickel-base superalloy article, which is otherwise susceptible to the formation of a secondary reaction zone, is prepared by furnishing a nickel-base superalloy article substrate having thereon an initial aluminum-containing coating comprising an initial-coating additive zone and an initial-coating diffusion zone. The article is susceptible to the formation of the secondary reaction zone if heated to an elevated SRZ reaction temperature for an SRZ reaction period of time. The formation of the secondary reaction zone is avoided by first removing the initial-coating additive zone and the initial-coating diffusion zone, and thereafter depositing a subsequent aluminum-containing coating onto the article substrate. The subsequent aluminum-containing coating includes a subsequent-coating additive zone and a subsequent-coating diffusion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Theodore Robert Grossman, Ronald Gustav Rajala, Dwayne Edward Burnett, William Scott Walston, Wendy Howard Murpjy
  • Patent number: 6777106
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Frédéric Catteau, David Godard
  • Patent number: 6764558
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Kucza, Sylvain Henry, Michel Mediouni, David Ebersolt, Nathalie Remond
  • Patent number: 6756133
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy brazing sheet material, particularly suitable for charge air cooler applications, comprising a core alloy and a clad brazing alloy, as well as to methods for their manufacture and use. The present invention also provides a method for increasing the yield strength of brazing sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Pechiney Rolled Products LLC
    Inventors: Scott L. Palmer, Zayna M. Connor, H. Scott Goodrich
  • Publication number: 20040055668
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminium OSF integrated circuit panel production method comprising surface preparation of two aluminium alloy sheets, deposition on one of the sheets of a weld-proof ink in reserved areas corresponding to the design of the circuit, connection by rolling of the sheets together, and expansion of the channels corresponding to the non-welded areas using a pressurised fluid, wherein one of the sheets is made of 1000 series alloy and the other of an alloy containing iron and manganese and such that Fe+Mn>0.8% (by weight), and preferentially >1, or 1.5%. The iron and manganese alloy is preferentially obtained by continuous casting of strips between two cooled rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Yves Doremus, Laurent Poizat, Hayat Elghazal
  • Publication number: 20040045643
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a composite aluminium brazing sheet, which method comprises: providing a core sheet of a first Al alloy and a cladding sheet of a second Al alloy, wherein a) the composition of the first Al alloy is different from the composition of the second Al alloy, b) the thickness of the core sheet is greater than the thickness of the cladding sheet, and c) the hardness of the core sheet is different than the hardness of the cladding sheet, cleaning facing surfaces of the core sheet and of the cladding sheet; and cold rolling the core sheet with the cladding sheet so as to roll bond them to make a composite aluminium sheet. Also disclosed is a brazing sheet comprising a core layer of a first Al alloy containing Mg and a cladding layer of a second Al alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ian P. Hewett, Alan Gray, Keith G. Davis
  • Patent number: 6696175
    Abstract: The present invention provides aluminum alloys and layers formed in aluminum alloys as well as methods for their manufacture. Aluminum alloys of the present invention are provided with at least one discrete layer of uncrystallized grains formed therein. Alloys of the present invention can be formed, for example, by a process that includes a final partial anneal that permits softening of the material to essentially an O-temper condition. Processes of the present invention recrystallized substantially the entire material by leave a discrete layer of preferably less than 50 microns of the material unrecrystallized. In preferred embodiments, the aluminum material is a core material that is clad on one or both sides and the discrete unrecrystallized layer forms at the boundary between the clad and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Pechiney Rolled Products
    Inventors: Scott L. Palmer, Zayna Connor, H. Scott Goodrich
  • Patent number: 6660106
    Abstract: Large diameter dome tanks made of a plurality of plates friction stir welded together to form a blank and spun and/or stretched into form. The dome tanks may be for holding liquid rocket fuel. Methods of forming include friction stir welding two or more flat blanks together and spinning the combined workpiece into a hemisphere. The blanks may be sufficiently thick to enable stretching as well as spinning. Aluminum alloys may be used, and filler material may be included in thee friction stir welds to reduce grain growth and problems associated therewith in the spinning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Henry W. Babel, Douglas J. Waldron, Ronaldo Reyes de Jesus, William F. Bozich
  • Patent number: 6648992
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for sliding bearings made of age-hardened aluminum materials includes an aluminum material that is artificially age-hardened for a time that is less than the time specified for reaching a maximum hardness, and a coating of a thermoplastic resin, or a solid lubrication material including a thermoplastic resin as a binder. The coating is placed on a surface of the aluminum material and is calcined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Jingu
  • Patent number: 6627330
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy brazing sheet has a quad-layer structure made of an outer filler material, intermediate layer material, core material, and inner filler material. The core material contains 0.5-1.6% of Mn, 0.10-0.50% of Cu, 0.05-0.50% of Mg, and 0.06-0.30% of Ti, and, as impurities, 0.5% or less of Fe, 0.5% or less of Si, and 0.1% or less of Zn, with the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities; the intermediate layer material contains 0.2-1.5% of Mg and at least one of 0.5-4% of Zn, 0.005-0.2% of In, and 0.01-0.2% of Sn, and, as impurities, 0.3% or less of Si, 0.3% or less of Fe, 0.05% or less of Cu, 0.05% or less of Mn, and 0.3% or less of Ti, with the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities. The thickness of the intermediate layer material is 50 &mgr;m or more and no more than the thickness of the core material. The outer filler material and the inner filler material are Al—Si—Mg alloys, the outer filler material, preferably including at least one of 0.005-0.2% of In and 0.01-0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignees: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shimizu, Haruhiko Miyachi, Toshihiko Fukuda, Hiroshi Ikeda, Yoshifusa Shoji
  • Patent number: 6626351
    Abstract: By utilizing a roll bonding process and appropriately forming steps, a load bearing structure is created which is capable of handling and appropriately transferring loads. One preferred method includes the combination of roll bonding and hydroforming to efficiently create structural components. While various product configurations are possible, one version includes a waffle-type structure produced by appropriate roll bonding of material sheets. This waffle-type structure can also undergo additional forming steps to create several structural components capable of handling and carrying loads in a very efficient and effective manner. More significantly, this process enables the use of structural aluminum for load bearing components which are efficiently and cost effective when manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Tower Automotive Technology Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Dziadosz, Clarence W. Fulton
  • Patent number: 6605370
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an aluminium or aluminium alloy joined product, such as a shaped and hollow member, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) providing two parts made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, each part having a peripheral flange; (b) positioning the two parts such that the peripheral flange of one part faces the peripheral flange of the other part to form an assembly, and joining the facing flanges of the two parts by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Corus Aluminum Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Adrianus Jacobus Wittebrood, Jacobus Van Rijkom, Axel Smeyers
  • Patent number: 6596413
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminium brazing product, such as a brazing sheet product, having a substrate (1) of an aluminium alloy comprising silicon in an amount in the of 2 to 18% by weight, and on at least one outer surface a layer (2) comprising nickel, wherein a separately deposited layer (3) is applied on one side of the layer (2) comprising nickel and the layer (3) comprising a metal such that taken together the aluminium base substrate (1) and all layers exterior thereto form a metal filler having a liquidus temperature in the range of 490 to 570° C., and preferably in the range of 510 to 550° C. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a brazing product and to a brazed assembly comprising at least one component made of the brazing sheet product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Adrianus Jacobus Wittebrood, Jacques Hubert Olga Joseph Wijenberg
  • Publication number: 20030134143
    Abstract: A tantalum or tungsten target-backing plate assembly which comprises a tantalum or tungsten target and a copper alloy backing plate that are subject to diffusion bonding via an aluminum- or aluminum alloy-sheet insert material at least 0.5 mm thick, and which is provided with diffusion bonded interfaces between the respective materials, wherein the assembly suffers only a small deformation after diffusion bonding and is free from separation between the target and the backing plate or from cracking even when the target material and the backing plate differ greatly in thermal expansion, and can survive high power sputtering; and a production method therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kunihiro Oda, Takeo Okabe, Hirohito Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20030116237
    Abstract: A process of rejuvenating a diffusion aluminide coating on a component. The rejuvenation process involves treating the coating with an aqueous solution of nitric acid and phosphoric acid until at least part of the additive layer of the coating has been removed, but the diffusion zone underlying the additive layer remains. The exposed surface of the component is then re-aluminized to deposit additional aluminum to build up the additive layer to a desired thickness. While potentially useful for a variety of situations, the process is particularly applicable to a diffusion aluminide coating that has been deposited on a component to have an excessively thick additive layer, and prior to the component being returned to service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Roy Worthing, Shannon Lynette Cismoski
  • Patent number: 6555250
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a heat treated sputtering target assembly. A backing plate is diffusion bonded to a sputtering target to produce a sputtering target assembly. The sputtering target assembly is heat treated to precipitation harden the backing plate of the assembly. The heat treatment includes heating and quenching, with the quenching being performed by immersing the backing plate in a quenchant without submerging the sputtering target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ritesh P. Shah, David E. Steele, William R. Turner, Anthony F. Beier, Janine K. Kardokus, Susan D. Strothers
  • Patent number: 6551423
    Abstract: A method for preparing a coated nickel-base superalloy article reduces the sulfur content of the surface region of the metallic coating layers to low levels, thereby improving the adhesion of the coating layers to the article. The method includes depositing a first layer of platinum overlying the surface of a substrate, depositing a second layer of aluminum over the platinum, and final desulfurizing the article by heating the article to elevated temperature, preferably in hydrogen, and removing a small amount of material from the surface that was exposed during the step of heating. A ceramic layer may be deposited over the desulfurized article. The article may also be similarly desulfurized at other points in the fabrication procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Irene T. Spitsberg, William S. Walston, Jon C. Schaeffer