Process of aging an aluminum alloy containing magnesium and silicon

US6679958B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Norsk Hydro · NO

Inventors

• Ulf Tundal · Sunndalsøra, NO
• Reiso Oddvin · Sunndalsøra, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 5, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C22F1/05
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An ageing process capable of producing an aluminum alloy with better mechanical properties than possible with traditional ageing procedures. The ageing process employs a dual rate heating technique that comprises a first stage in which the aluminum alloy is heated at a first heating rate to a temperature between 100 and 170° C. and a second stage in which the aluminum alloy is heated at a second heating rate to a hold temperature of 160 to 220° C. The first heating rate is at least 100° C./hour and the second heating rate is 5 to 50° C./hour. The entire ageing process is performed in a time of 3 to 24 hours.