Process and apparatus to enhance the paintbake response and aging stability of aluminum sheet materials and product therefrom
US5718780A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making aluminum alloy sheet product with improved paintbake response during automotive paintbake cycles, resistance to natural aging and better formability includes rapidly heating the aluminum alloy sheet product between a solution heat treating/quenching operation and a sheet coiling operation. Performing the rapid heating at this stage in the sheet manufacture minimizes the adverse effect of early natural aging (dwell time) on the paintbake response of these types of aluminum sheet alloy products. According to the invention, this dwell time is minimized by the application of a rapid heating step immediately following quenching from the solution heat treatment. After the aluminum sheet product has been rapidly heated, it is immediately coiled and cools under ambient conditions in coil form, this ambient cooling providing a pre-aging treatment which contributes to the improved performance of the sheet product in paintbake response, improved formability and natural aging resistance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.