Heat treatment of formed aluminum alloy products
US6406571B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22F1/057
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process of producing a shaped article suitable for use as an automotive body panel intended for finishing by painting and, if necessary, baking. The process comprises obtaining a sheet article made of an aluminum alloy of the 2000 or 6000 series in a T4 or T4P temper and that exhibits an increase in hardness after painting and optionally baking, shaping the sheet article by forming to produce an intermediate shaped article, and subjecting the intermediate shaped article to a thermal spiking treatment prior to painting and optionally baking. The thermal spiking treatment involves heating the intermediate shaped article from ambient temperature to a temperature in a range of 150 to 300° C. with or without holding at that temperature for a period of time to enhance the increase in hardness. The process may also include the painting and optionally baking step. The invention includes the shaped articles, either prior to or after painting and optionally baking, produced by the process. The invention makes it possible to provide shaped articles that develop good hardness when used as automotive panels and the like, and may thus make it possible to reduce the gauge (and therefore wei…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.