With Ageing, Solution Treating (i.e., For Hardening), Precipitation Hardening Or Strengthening Patents (Class 148/693)
  • Patent number: 11802325
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to metallurgy, more particularly to a composition and a process for producing part blanks and finished parts from aluminum-based alloys including but not limited to using selective laser melting processes. The proposed aluminum-based alloy comprising magnesium, zirconium and scandium for atomization an aluminum powder therefrom and subsequent producing finished parts by additive technologies has a reduced content of scandium and further comprises oxygen and calcium with a limited size of the oxide film and a moister content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOST'YU OBEDINENNAYA KOMPANIYA RUSAL “INZHERNO-TEKHNOLOGICHESKIY TSENTR”
    Inventors: Viktor Khrist'yanovich Mann, Aleksandr Yur'evich Krokhin, Roman Olegovich Vakhromov, Dmitrij Konstantinovich Ryabov, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Korolev, Dmitrij Vladimirovich Tsisar'
  • Patent number: 10661330
    Abstract: A method for producing a flat spiral spring formed as an annular disk-shaped segment, wherein a strip-shaped material is supplied in a tangential alignment to the lateral surface of the drum such that a lateral wall which determines the thickness of the strip-shaped material rests against some sections of a contact surface on the lateral surface of the drum. The contact surface of the drum has a radius which substantially corresponds to an internal radius of the strip-shaped material, and at least one deflecting device is aligned at a distance to the drum such that the strip-shaped material is guided in a forced manner between the drum and the deflecting device, and the strip-shaped material is bent so as to follow the drum by means of the deflecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Adolf Schnorr GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Knut Naue, Andy Haunholter
  • Patent number: 9399808
    Abstract: This aluminum alloy sheet has increased BH properties under low-temperature short-time-period conditions after long-term room-temperature aging by means of causing aggregates of specific atoms to be contained having a large effect in BH properties, the distance between atoms being no greater than a set distance, and containing either Mg atoms or Si atoms measured by 3D atom probe field ion microscopy in a 6000 aluminum alloy sheet containing a specific amount of Mg and Si.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsushi Matsumoto, Yasuhiro Aruga, Hidemasa Tsuneishi
  • Patent number: 9394596
    Abstract: Aluminum-magnesium alloys are ideal for ship construction; however, these alloys can become sensitized and susceptible to intergranular corrosion when exposed to moderately elevated temperatures. A stabilization treatment has been developed to reverse sensitization and restore corrosion resistance, such that in-service plate can be refurbished rather than replaced. This treatment involves a short exposure to a specific elevated temperature range and can be implemented with portable units onboard a ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Concurrent Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Kramer, Catherine Wong
  • Patent number: 9242678
    Abstract: In a car body or component thereof with at least one first component of sheet metal of a first aluminum alloy and at least one second component of sheet metal of a second aluminum alloy, the first and second aluminum alloys are of type AlMgSi and in the sheet metal of the second aluminum alloy a substantial part of the elements Mg and Si, which are required to achieve artificial ageing in solid solution, is present in the form of separate Mg2Si and/or Si particles in order to avoid artificial ageing. By reduction of the hardening capacity of the second component during artificial ageing of the body as part of the paint baking cycle, the car body has an improved impact protection for pedestrians in comparison with solutions according to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Corrado Bassi, Juergen Timm
  • Patent number: 9085328
    Abstract: In a car body or component thereof with at least one first component of sheet metal of a first aluminum alloy and at least one second component of sheet metal of a second aluminum alloy, the first and second aluminum alloys are of type AlMgSi and in the sheet metal of the second aluminum alloy a substantial part of the elements Mg and Si, which are required to achieve artificial ageing in solid solution, is present in the form of separate Mg2Si and/or Si particles in order to avoid artificial ageing. By reduction of the hardening capacity of the second component during artificial ageing of the body as part of the paint baking cycle, the car body has an improved impact protection for pedestrians in comparison with solutions according to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Corrado Bassi, Juergen Timm
  • Patent number: 8764920
    Abstract: New 2xxx aluminum alloys containing vanadium are disclosed. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy includes 3.3-4.1 wt. % Cu, 0.7-1.3 wt. % Mg, 0.01-0.16 wt. % V, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The new alloys may realize an improved combination of properties, such as in the T39 or T89 tempers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Jen C. Lin, Ralph R. Sawtell, Gary H. Bray, Cindie Giummarra, Andre Wilson, Gregory B. Venema
  • Patent number: 8747580
    Abstract: New 7XXX alloys having improved ballistics performance are disclosed. The new alloys generally are resistant to armor piercing rounds at 2850 fps, resistant to fragment simulated particles at 2950 fps, and are resistant to spalling. To achieve the improved ballistics properties, the alloys are generally overaged so as to obtain a tensile yield strength that is (i) at least about 10 ksi lower than peak strength and/or (ii) no greater than 70 ksi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin M. Bush, Ian Murray, Roberto J. Rioja, Ralph R. Sawtell
  • Publication number: 20130068351
    Abstract: Multi-alloy composite sheets and methods of producing the composite sheets for use in automotive applications are disclosed. The automotive application may include an automotive panel having a bi-layer or a tri-layer composite sheet with 3xxx and 6xxx aluminum alloys. The composite sheets may be produced by roll bonding or multi-alloy casting, among other techniques. Each of the composite sheets may demonstrate good flat hem rating and mechanical properties, long shelf life, and high dent resistance, among other properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, John F. Butler, JR.
  • Patent number: 8328963
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet of specific Al—Mg—Si composition, which, owing to preliminary aging treatment under adequate conditions, has a specific metallographic structure in which there are a large number of clusters of specific size (each being an aggregate of atoms) expressed in terms of number density, which, when observed under a transmission electron microscope of 1,000,000 magnifications, appear as dark contrast in the bright field image. It is superior in paint baking hardenability and is invulnerable to room temperature aging during storage for a comparatively long period of 1 to 4 months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Takaki, Kwangjin Lee
  • Publication number: 20120227873
    Abstract: A process for tempering large aluminum lithium alloy component parts to achieve high strength capability and resistance to stress corrosion cracking without the need for the prior art step of cold working the alloy components parts. The process achieves the desired material properties by the use of two novel soaking time periods and the use of novel controlled temperature selection at the two respective soaking times as well as carefully controlling the temperature decrease from one soaking time period to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Standex International Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Morganti
  • Patent number: 8043445
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminium alloy wrought product with high strength and fracture toughness and high fatigue resistance and low fatigue crack growth rate, and having a composition for the alloy comprising, in weight %, about 0.3 to 1.0% magnesium (Mg), about 4.4 to 5.5% copper (Cu), about 0 to 0.20% iron (Fe), about 0 to 0.20% silicon (Si), about 0 to 0.40% zinc (Zn), and Mn in a range 0.15 to 0.8 as a dispersoids forming element in combination with one or more of dispersoids forming elements selected from the group consisting of: (Zr, Sc, Cr, Hf, Ag, Ti, V), in ranges of: about 0 to 0.5% zirconium (Zr), about 0 to 0.7% scandium (Sc), about 0 to 0.4% chromium (Cr), about 0 to 0.3% hafnium (Hf), about 0 to 0.4% titanium (Ti), about 0 to 1.0% silver (Ag), the balance being aluminium (Al) and other incidental elements, and whereby there is a limitation of the Cu—Mg content such that ?1.1[Mg]+5.38?[Cu]?5.5. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Hinrich Johannes Wilhelm Hargarter
  • Patent number: 7993474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a work-hardened product, particularly a rolled, extruded or forged product, made of an alloy with the following composition (% by weight): Cu 3.8-4.3; Mg 1.25-1.45; Mn 0.2-0.5; Zn 0.4-1.3; Fe<0.15; Si<0.15; Zr?0.05; Ag<0.01, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, remainder Al, treated by dissolution, quenching and cold strain-hardening, with a permanent deformation of between 0.5% and 15%, and preferably between 1.5% and 3.5%. Cold strain-hardening can be achieved by controlled tension and/or cold transformation, for example rolling, die forging or drawing. This cladded metal plate type product is a suitable element to be used as aircraft fuselage skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Alcan Rhenalu/Constellium France
    Inventors: Timothy Warner, Ronan Dif, Bernard Bes, Herve Ribes
  • Publication number: 20110108170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aluminum-lithium alloys in general and, in particular, such products as used in the aircraft industry and the welding of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: ALCAN RHENALU
    Inventors: Frank Eberl, Stephane Jambu, Christian Barthelemy, Gaelle Pouget
  • Publication number: 20110017055
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk C. Mooy, Roberto J. Rioja, Ralph R. Sawtell, Francine S. Bovard, Gregory B. Venema, David A. Linde
  • Patent number: 7871477
    Abstract: High temperature heat treatable aluminum alloys that can be used at temperatures from about ?420° F. (?251° C.) up to about 650° F. (343° C.) are described. The alloys are strengthened by dispersion of particles based on the L12 intermetallic compound Al3X. These alloys comprise aluminum, magnesium, lithium, at least one of scandium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, and at least one of gadolinium, yttrium, zirconium, titanium, hafnium, and niobium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Awadh B. Pandey
  • Patent number: 7837808
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenisation, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alcan Rhenalu
    Inventors: Fabrice Heymes, David Godard, Timothy Warner, Julien Boselli, Raphaël Muzzolini, Sjoerd Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 7815758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high damage tolerant Al—Cu alloy of the AA2000 series having a high toughness and an improved fatigue crack growth resistance, including the following composition (in weight percent) Cu 3.8-4.7, Mg 1.0-1.6, Zr 0.06-0.18, Cr<0.15, Mn>0-0.50, Fe?0.15, Si?0.15, and Mn-containing dispersoids, the balance essentially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, wherein the Mn-containing dispersoids are at least partially replaced by Zr-containing dispersoids. There is also disclosed a method for producing a rolled high damage tolerant Al—Cu alloy product having a high toughness and an improved fatigue crack growth resistance, and applications of that product as a structural member of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Patent number: 7763128
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenization, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Alcan Rhenalu
    Inventors: Fabrice Heymes, David Godard, Timothy Warner, Julien Boselli, Raphaël Muzzolini, Sjoerd Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 7744704
    Abstract: A low density aluminum based alloy useful in aircraft structure for fuselage sheet or light-gauge plate applications which has high strength, high fracture toughness and high corrosion resistance, comprising 2.7 to 3.4 weight percent Cu, 0.8 to 1.4 weight percent Li, 0.1 to 0.8 weight percent Ag, 0.2 to 0.6 weight percent Mg and a grain refiner such as Zr, Mn, Cr, Sc, Hf, Ti or a combination thereof, the amount of which being 0.05 to 0.13 wt. % for Zr, 0.1 to 0.8 wt. % for Mn, 0.05 to 0.3 wt. % for Cr and Sc, 0.05 to 0.5 wt. % for Hf and 0.05 to 0.15 wt. % for Ti. The amount of Cu and Li preferably corresponds to the formula Cu(wt. %)+5/3 Li(wt. %)<5.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Alcan Rhenalu
    Inventors: Bernard Bés, Hervé Ribes, Christophe Sigli, Timothy Warner
  • Publication number: 20090263275
    Abstract: High temperature heat treatable aluminum alloys that can be used at temperatures from about ?420° F. (?251° C.) up to about 650° F. (343° C.) are described. The alloys are strengthened by dispersion of particles based on the L12 intermetallic compound Al3X. These alloys comprise aluminum, magnesium, lithium, at least one of scandium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, and at least one of gadolinium, yttrium, zirconium, titanium, hafnium, and niobium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Awadh B. Pandey
  • Patent number: 7604704
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a balanced Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy having a high toughness, good strength levels and an improved fatigue crack growth resistance, comprising essentially the following composition (in weight percent): Cu: 3.6-4.9, Mg: 1.0-1.8, Mn:?0.50, preferably <0.30, Si: 0.10-0.40, Zr:?0.15, Cr:?0.15, Fe:?0.10, the balance essentially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. There is also disclosed a method for producing the balanced Al—Cu—Mg—Si alloy product having a high toughness and an improved fatigue crack growth resistance, and applications of that product as a structural member of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Patent number: 7597770
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of metallurgy, in particular to high strength weldable alloys with low density, of aluminium-copper-lithium system. These alloys can be used in air- and spacecraft engineering. The alloy comprises copper, lithium, zirconium, scandium, silicon, iron, beryllium, and at least one element from the group including magnesium, zinc, manganese, germanium, cerium, yttrium, titanium. A method for fabricating semiproducts is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: EADS Deutschland GmbH, All Russian Institute of Aviation Materials VIAM
    Inventors: Thomas Pfannen-Mueller, Rainer Rauh, Peter-Juergen Winkler, Roland Lang, Iosif Naumovitch Fridlyander, Evgeny Nikolaevitch Kablov, Vladimir Solomonovitch Sandler, Svetlana Nikolaevna Borovskikh, Valentin Georgievitch Davydov, Valery Vladimirovitch Zakharov, Marina Vladimirovna Samarina, Viktor Ignatovitch Elagin, Leonid Borisovitch Ber
  • Publication number: 20090242088
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet of specific Al—Mg—Si composition, which, owing to preliminary aging treatment under adequate conditions, has a specific metallographic structure in which there are a large number of clusters of specific size (each being an aggregate of atoms) expressed in terms of number density, which, when observed under a transmission electron microscope of 1,000,000 magnifications, appear as dark contrast in the bright field image. It is superior in paint baking hardenability and is invulnerable to room temperature aging during storage for a comparatively long period of 1 to 4 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Yasuo Takaki, Kwangjin Lee
  • Patent number: 7520945
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to optimization of recrystallization rates on the fatigue crack growth resistance, in the particular case of a Al—Zn—Cu—Mg plate products, and especially on the evolution of da/dN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignees: Alcan Rhenalu, Alcan Rolled Products - Ravenswood, LLC
    Inventors: David Dumont, Vic Dangerfield
  • Publication number: 20090084474
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Soonwuk Cheong, Roberto J. Rioja, Paul E. Magnusen, Cagatay Yanar, Dirk C. Mooy, Gregory B. Venema, Edward Llewellyn
  • Patent number: 7494552
    Abstract: Disclosed is an Al—Cu alloy of the AA2000-series alloys with high toughness and an improved strength, including the following composition (in weight percent) Cu 4.5-5.5, Mg 0.5-1.6, Mn?0.80, Zr?0.18, Cr?0.18, Si?0.15, Fe?0.15, the balance essentially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, and wherein the amount (in weight %) of magnesium is either: (a) in a range of 1.0 to 1.6%, or alternatively (b) in a range of 0.50 to 1.2% when the amount of dispersoid forming elements such as Cr, Zr or Mn is controlled and (in weight %) in a range of 0.10 to 0.70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler, Hinrich Johannes Wilhelm Hargarter
  • Publication number: 20080289728
    Abstract: A low density aluminum based alloy useful in aircraft structure for fuselage sheet or light-gauge plate applications which has high strength, high fracture toughness and high corrosion resistance, comprising 2.7 to 3.4 weight percent Cu, 0.8 to 1.4 weight percent Li, 0.1 to 0.8 weight percent Ag, 0.2 to 0.6 weight percent Mg and a grain refiner such as Zr, Mn, Cr, Sc, Hf, Ti or a combination thereof, the amount of which being 0.05 to 0.13 wt. % for Zr, 0.1 to 0.8 wt. % for Mn, 0.05 to 0.3 wt. % for Cr and Sc, 0.05 to 0.5 wt. % for Hf and 0.05 to 0.15 wt. % for Ti. The amount of Cu and Li preferably corresponds to the formula Cu(wt. %)+5/3 Li(wt. %)<5.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard Bes
  • Publication number: 20080236708
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenisation, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Fabrice Heymes, David Godard, Timothy Warner, Julien Boselli, Raphael Muzzolini, Sjoerd Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 7320736
    Abstract: The high-purity aluminum sputter target is at least 99.999 weight percent aluminum and has a grain structure. The grain structure is at least 99 percent recrystallized and has a grain size of less than 200 ?m. The method forms high-purity aluminum sputter targets by first cooling a high-purity target blank to a temperature of less than ?50 ° C. and then deforming the cooled high-purity target blank introduces intense strain into the high-purity target. After deforming, recrystallizing the grains at a temperature below 200 ° C. forms a target blank having at least 99 percent recrystallized grains. Finally, finishing at a low temperature sufficient to maintain the fine grain size of the high-purity target blank forms a finished sputter target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Perry, Paul S. Gilman, Thomas J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7294213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a work-hardened product, particularly a rolled, extruded or forged product, made of an alloy with the following composition (% by weight): Cu 3.8-4.3; Mg 1.25-1.45; Mn 0.2-0.5; Zn 0.4-1.3; Fe<0.15; Si<0.15; Zr?0.05; Ag<0.01, other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 total, remainder Al treated by dissolution, quenching and cold strain-hardening, with a permanent deformation of between 0.5% and 15%, and preferably between 1.5% and 3.5%. Cold strain-hardening can be achieved by controlled tension and/or cold transformation, for example rolling, die forging or drawing. This cladded metal plate type product is a suitable element to be used as aircraft fuselage skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Timothy Warner, Ronan Dif, Bernard Bes, Herve Ribes
  • Publication number: 20070246137
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a worked product or a monolithic multi-functional structural element comprising aluminium alloy includes a hot working step and at least one transformation step by cold plastic deformation after the hot transformation step. At least two zones of the structural element have imposed generalized average plastic deformations and the imposed deformations are different by at least 2%. Structural elements can be fabricated, particularly for aeronautical construction, with properties that are variable while their geometric characteristics are identical to those of existing components. The process is economic and controllable, and properties can be varied for parts not requiring any artificial ageing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Philippe Lequeu, Fabrice Heymes, Armelle Danielou
  • Patent number: 7252723
    Abstract: New alloys for potential use in applications such as in lower wing skins and fuselage skins are disclosed. Specifically, Mn-free 2×24 alloys potentially suitable for thick plate and thin plate and sheet applications are believed to be novel and to provide unexpectedly superior properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Ronan Dif, Timothy Warner, Bernard Bes
  • Patent number: 7189294
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an Al—Mg—Si series alloy plate includes the steps of hot-rolling and subsequently cold-rolling an Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot. The Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consists of Si: 0.2 to 0.8 mass %, Mg: 0.3 to 1 mass %, Fe: 0.5 mass % or less, Cu: 0.5 mass % or less, at least one of elements selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.1 mass % or less and B: 0.1 mass % or less and the balance being Al and inevitable impurities. Heat-treating for holding a rolled ingot at 200 to 400° C. for 1 hour or more is performed after a completion of the hot-rolling but before a completion of the cold-rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kimura, Nobuhiko Akagi
  • Patent number: 7037391
    Abstract: The process is for ageing heat treatment of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy which has alloying elements in solid solution. The process includes holding the alloy at an elevated ageing temperature which is appropriate for ageing the alloy to promote precipitation of at least one solute element, herein termed “primary precipitation” for a period of time which is short relative to a T6 temper. Resultant underaged alloy then is cooled from the ageing temperature to a lower temperature and at a sufficiently rapid rate to substantially arrest the primary precipitation. The cooled alloy then is exposed to an ageing temperature, lower than the elevated ageing temperature for primary precipitation, so as to develop adequate mechanical properties as a function of time, by further solute element precipitation, herein termed “secondary precipitation”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Roger Neil Lumley, Ian James Polmear, Allan James Morton
  • Patent number: 7029543
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an aluminum alloy sheet having excellent bendability for use in forming panels for automobiles. An aluminum alloy containing 0.50 to 0.75 by weight Mg, 0.7 to 0.85% by weight Si, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight Fe, 0.15 to 0.35% by weight Mn, and the balance Al and incidental impurities, is used and is semi-continuously cast into ingot. The cast alloy ingot is subjected to hot rolling and cold rolling, followed by solution heat treatment of the formed sheet. The heat treated sheet is quenched to a temperature of about 60–120° C. and the sheet is then coiled. This coil is then pre-aged by slowly cooling the coil from an initial temperature of about 60–120° C. to room temperature at a cooling rate of less than 10° C./hr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Novelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jackson Bull, David James Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7025839
    Abstract: The heat treatment of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy, having alloying elements in solid solution includes the stages of holding the alloy for a relatively short time at an elevated temperature TA appropriate for ageing the alloy; cooling the alloy from the temperature TA at a sufficiently rapid rate and to a lower temperature so that primary precipitation of solute elements is substantially arrested; holding the alloy at a temperature TB for a time sufficient to achieve a suitable level of secondary nucleation or continuing precipitation of solute elements; and heating the alloy to a temperature which is at, sufficiently close to, or higher than temperature TA and holding for a further sufficient period of time at temperature TC for achieving substantially maximum strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Roger Neil Lumley, Ian James Polmear, Allan James Morton
  • Patent number: 6994760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing high strength balanced Al—Mg—Si alloy with an improved fatigue crack growth resistance and a low amount of intermetallics, comprising the steps of a) casting an ingot with the following composition (in weight percent) Si: 0.75–1.3, Cu: 0.6–1.1, Mn: 0.2–0.8, Mg: 0.45–0.95, Fe: 0.01–0.3, Zr: <0.25, Cr: <0.25, Zn: <0.35, Ti: <0.25, impurities each less than 0.05 and less than 0.20 in total, balance aluminum, b) optional homogenization of the cast ingot, c) pre-heating the ingot after casting for 4 to 30 hours with temperatures above 520° C., d) hot working the ingot and optionally cold working, e) solution heat treating, and f) quenching the worked product. The pre-heating is preferably performed for 6 to 18 hours with temperatures between 530° C. and 560° C. The alloy has a fatigue crack growth rate at ?K=20 MPa?m of below 9.0E?04 and at ?K=40 MPa?m of below 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Guido Weber, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Patent number: 6991689
    Abstract: An aluminum based alloy having a composition within the following ranges, all of the ranges being in weight percent: lithium 2.0 to 2.8, magnesium 0.4 to 1.0, copper 2.0 to 3.0, manganese 0.7 to 1.2, zirconium up to 0.2 and the balance aluminum, save for incidental impurities and up to 2.0 in total of one or more grain controlling elements to provide microstructural optimization and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Wendy J Vine, Donald S McDarmaid, Christopher J Peel
  • Publication number: 20040182483
    Abstract: The present invention includes a process for manufacturing metal sheets or plates and a machined metal part as well as machined products, structural components and their uses in various applications. Manufacture of a metal sheet or plate by a process of the present invention comprises casting of a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenisation, one or more hot or cold rolling operations, optionally separated by one or more re-heating operations, to obtain a sheet, or plate and optionally one or more sheet or plate cutting or finishing operations. The sheet is pre-machined on one or both sides so as to obtain a pre-machined stock, and subjected to solution heat treatment, quenching treatment, and optionally, one or more of the following steps: controlled stretching, aging treatment, and/or cutting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Fabrice Heymes, David Godard, Timothy Warner, Julien Boselli, Raphael Muzzolini, Sjoerd Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 6780259
    Abstract: A process is described for producing an aluminum alloy sheet having excellent bendability for use in forming panels for automobiles. An aluminum alloy containing 0.50 to 0.75 by weight Mg, 0.7 to 0.85% by weight Si, 0.1 to 0.3% by weight Fe, 0.15 to 0.35% by weight Mn, and the balance Al and incidental impurities, is used and is semi-continuously cast into ingot. The cast alloy ingot is subjected to hot rolling and cold rolling, followed by solution heat treatment of the formed sheet. The heat treated sheet is quenched to a temperature of about 60-120° C. and the sheet is then coiled. This coil is then pre-aged by slowly cooling the coil from an initial temperature of about 60-120° C. to room temperature at a cooling rate of less than 10° C./hr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Michael Jackson Bull, David James Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6764559
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing aluminum vehicular frame members such as frame members from molten aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab. The method comprises providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 2.7 to 3.6 wt. % Mg, 0.1 to 0.4 wt. % Mn, 0.02 to 0.2 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.30 wt. % Fe, 0.1 wt. % max. Cu, 0.1 wt. % max. Cr, 0.2 wt. % max. Zr, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities and providing a continuous caster such as a belt caster for continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy. The molten aluminum alloy is cast into a slab which is rolled into a sheet product and then annealed. The sheet has an improved distribution of intermetallic particles (Al—Fe—Mn) and improved formability. Thereafter, the sheet product is formed into a tube having a seam which is welded to provide a seam welded tube. The seam welded tube is placed in a forming die and hydroformed to form the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Commonwealth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Li, Paul Platek
  • Publication number: 20040118493
    Abstract: An Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consisting essentially of Si: 0.2 to 0.8 wt %, Mg: 0.3 to 0.9 wt %, Fe: 0.5 wt % or less, Cu: 0.20 wt % or less and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities, or an Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consisting essentially of Si: 0.2 to 0.8 wt %, Mg: 0.3 to 0.9 wt %, Fe: 0.5 wt % or less, Cu: 0.20 wt % or less, Zn: 0.5 wt % or less and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities, is prepared. The alloy ingot is homogenized, then subjected to rough hot rolling and finish hot rolling, and finally to cold rolling. One of plural passes performed at the rough hot rolling is controlled such that material temperature immediately before the aforementioned one of passes is from 350 to 440 ° C., cooling rate during the aforementioned one of plural passes is 50° C./min or more, material temperature immediately after the aforementioned one of passes is from 250 to 340° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kimura, Ichizo Tsukuda, Kyohei Taguchi, Ryosuke Shimao
  • Publication number: 20040094249
    Abstract: A sheet of a 6000 type aluminum alloy containing Si and Mg as main alloy components and having excellent formability sufficient to allow flat hemming, excellent resistance to denting, and good hardenability during baking a coating, which exhibits an anisotropy of Lankford values of more than 0.4 or the strength ratio for cube orientations of the texture thereof of 20 or more, and exhibits a minimum bend radius of 0.5 mm or less at 180° bending even when the offset yield strength thereof exceeds 140 MPa through natural aging; and a method for producing the sheet of the aluminum alloy, which comprises subjecting an ingot to a homogenization treatment, cooling to a temperature lower than 350° C. at a cooling rate of 100° C./hr or more, optionally to room temperature, heating again to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. and subjecting it to hot rolling, cold rolling the hot rolled product, and subjecting the cold rolled sheet to a solution treatment at a temperature of 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Uchida, Tadashi Minoda, Mineo Asano, Yoshikazu Ozeki, Tsutomu Furuyama
  • Publication number: 20040079457
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an Al—Mg—Si series alloy plate includes the steps of hot-rolling and subsequently cold-rolling an Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot. The Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consists of Si: 0.2 to 0.8 mass %, Mg: 0.3 to 1 mass %, Fe: 0.5 mass % or less, Cu: 0.5 mass % or less, at least one of elements selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.1 mass % or less and B: 0.1 mass % or less and the balance being Al and inevitable impurities. Heat-treating for holding a rolled ingot at 200 to 400° C. for 1 hour or more is performed after a completion of the hot-rolling but before a completion of the cold-rolling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kimura, Nobuhiko Akagi
  • Patent number: 6702907
    Abstract: A process for producing an aluminum alloy-made forged scroll part includes a step of casting an aluminum alloy material into a round bar having a diameter of 130 mm or less, the aluminum alloy material comprising 8.0-12.5 mass % of Si, 1.0-5.0 mass % of Cu and 0.2-1.3 mass % of Mg; a step of cutting the aluminum alloy round bar into a stock material for forging; a step of subjecting the stock material to upsetting at an upsetting ratio of 20-70% to form a pre-shaped product that is a workpiece; and a forging step of applying pressure onto the workpiece with a punch at a temperature of 300-450° C. to form a scroll wrap in a direction of the punch pressure, and wherein the forging step includes a single step in which a forged scroll part is press-formed while a back pressure smaller than the punch pressure is applied to an end of the scroll wrap in a direction opposite to the punch pressure direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sato, Fumihiko Ohmi, Yuichi Ogura
  • 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: 6675475
    Abstract: A method of producing a shoe for a swash plate type compressor, the shoe being disposed between a swash plate and a piston of the swash plate type compressor and formed of an aluminum alloy, the method comprising: a main forging step of forging a blank for producing the shoe into a roughly-shaped precursor shoe; a thermal refining step of thermally refining the roughly-shaped precursor shoe; and a size-adjustment forging step of forging the roughly-shaped precursor shoe which has been thermally refined, into a size-adjusted shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Manabu Sugiura, Takahiro Sugioka, Akira Onoda, Tomohiro Murakami, Shino Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6666933
    Abstract: A can end is manufactured by forming an end shell comprising a radially outer seaming flange, a chuck wall adjacent the seaming flange, a center panel, and an axially downward countersink joining the center panel to the chuck wall below the level of the seaming flange. The end shell is converted to an easy-open can end by forming a score on a portion of the center panel, raising a rivet on the center pane, and forming a tab and attaching the tab to the rivet. The end is subsequently formed by moving the center panel and the seaming flange one with respect to the other to raise the center panel above the level of the seaming flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David Andrew Roberts, Andrew Osborne Blow, John Alfred Perigo
  • Patent number: 6660111
    Abstract: An Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consisting essentially of Si:0.2-0.8 wt %, Mg:0.3-0.9 wt %, Fe:0.35 wt % or less, Cu:0.20 wt % or less and the balance of aluminum and inevitable impurities is prepared. The alloy ingot is homogenized, then subjected to rough hot rolling and finish hot rolling, and finally to cold rolling. One of the rough hot rolling is controlled such that material temperature immediately before one of the rough hot rolling is from 350 to 440° C., cooling rate between one of the rough hot rolling and rough hot rolling subsequent thereto is 50° C./min or more, material temperature immediately after one of the rough hot rolling is from 250 to 340° C. and plate thickness immediately after one of the rough hot rolling is 10 mm or less. The cold rolling is controlled such that rolling reduction is 30% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corp.
    Inventors: Kyohei Taguchi, Ichizo Tsukuda, Kazuo Kimura, Ryosuke Shimao