Increasing strength of an aluminum alloy

US10612116B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Bin Hu · Los Altos, US
• Pan Wang · Shanghai, CN
• Qi Lu · Zhejiang, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 8, 2016
• Grant date: Apr 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60B2360/104
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In an example of a method for increasing strength of an aluminum alloy, the aluminum alloy is formed in a molten state. The aluminum alloy includes from about 4 wt % to about 11 wt % silicon, from greater than 0.2 wt % to about 0.5 wt % chromium, from about 0.1 wt % to about 0.5 wt % magnesium, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.1 wt % titanium, equal to or less than about 0.5 wt % iron, equal to or less than about 0.5 wt % manganese, and a balance of aluminum. The aluminum alloy is subjected to a solution heat treatment. The aluminum alloy is quenched, and the aluminum alloy is age hardened at an age hardening temperature ranging from about 140° C. to 175° C. for a time period ranging from about 3 hours to about 35 hours.