Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same

US8961715B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALCOA INC. · US

Inventors

• Gary H. Bray · Murrysville, US
• Dhruba J. Chakrabarti · Export, US
• Diana K. Denzer · Lower Burrell, US
• Jen C. Lin · Export, US
• John M. Newman · Export, US
• Gregory B. Venema · Bettendorf, US
• Cagatay Yanar · Bethel Park, US
• Julien Boselli · Grenoble, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2014
• Grant date: Feb 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/40
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt. % Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt. % Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt. % Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt. % Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.