Method of producing a high-energy hydroformed structure from a 7xxx-series alloy

US12319994B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIRBUS (S.A.S.) · FR

Inventors

• Philippe Meyer · Koblenz, DE
• Sunil Khosla · Beverwijk, NL
• Achim Bürger · Grevesmühlen, DE
• Sabine Maria Spangel · Koblenz, DE
• Andreas Harald Bach · Koblenz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2019
• Grant date: Jun 3, 2025
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C22C21/10
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of producing an integrated monolithic aluminum structure, the method includes the steps of: (a) providing an aluminum alloy plate with a predetermined thickness of at least 38.1 mm, wherein the aluminum alloy plate is a 7xxx-series alloy provided in an F-temper or an O-temper; (b) optionally pre-machining of the aluminum alloy plate to an intermediate machined structure; (c) high-energy hydroforming of the plate or optional intermediate machined structure against a forming surface of a rigid die having a contour in accordance with a desired curvature of the integrated monolithic aluminum structure, the high-energy hydroforming causing the plate or the intermediate machined structure to conform to the contour of the forming surface to at least one of a uniaxial curvature and a biaxial curvature; (d) solution heat-treating and cooling of the high-energy hydroformed structure; (e) machining and (f) ageing of the final integrated monolithic aluminum structure.