Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce an aluminum alloy rolled thin sheet product having the combination of improved fatigue crack growing resistance, improved strength and fracture toughness and useful for the use for aerospace such as the airframe of aircraft and to provide its production method. SOLUTION: This aluminum alloy rolled thin sheet product has a microstructure specified by crystal grains having the average aspect ratio of the average length to width higher than about 4:1. By the control of the alloy composition, the limitation of the parameters in rolling and heat treatment, their combination or the like respectively as for an aluminum-copper-based alloy, an aluminum-magnesium-based alloy, an aluminum-magnesium-silicon-based alloy and an aluminum-zinc-based alloy, the prescribed aspect ratio, the microstructure having high anisotropy and improved quality characteristics are realized. More concretely, for developing a desired amount of precipitates, the composition of the alloy, the rolling method and the heat treating method are controlled.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method for artificially aging 7000 Series Al aerospace alloys to impart improved strength and/or corrosion resistance performance thereto. The method purposefully adds a second aging step or stage to a one-step tempering, or a third step/stage to a low-high, two-step aging operation. The added step/stage extends at about 225-275 DEG F for about 3-24 hours. More preferably, the added stage extends at about 250 DEG F for about 6 hours or more.
Abstract:
Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt.% Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt.% Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt.% Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt.% Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
Abstract:
Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt.% Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt.% Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt.% Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt.% Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
Abstract:
Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt.% Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt.% Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt.% Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt.% Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
Abstract:
Improved aluminum-copper-lithium alloys are disclosed. The alloys may include 3.4 - 4.2 wt. % Cu, 0.9 - 1.4 wt. % Li, 0.3 - 0.7 wt. % Ag, 0.1 - 0.6 wt. % Mg, 0.2 - 0.8 wt. % Zn, 0.1 - 0.6 wt. % Mn, and 0.01 - 0.6 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The alloys achieve an improved combination of properties over prior art alloys.
Abstract:
Aluminum sheet products having highly anisotropic grain microstructures an d highly textured crystallographic microstructures are disclosed. The products exhibit improved strength and improved resistance to fatigue crack growth, as well as other advantageous properties such as improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness. The sheet products are useful for aerospace and other applications, particularly aircraft fuselages.
Abstract:
Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the a bility to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially ag ed, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength , fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentia lly of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt.% Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt.% Mg, abo ut 1.75 to about 2.3 wt.% Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than ab out 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt.% Cr, the balance Al, incidental e lements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes inc luding, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
Abstract:
Aluminum sheet products having highly anisotropic grain microstructures a nd highly textured crystallographic microstructures are disclosed. The products exhibit improved strength and improved resistance to fatigue crack growth, as well as other advantageous properties such as improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness. The sheet products are useful for aerospace and other applications, particularly aircraft fuselages.