Conversion Process for heat treatable L12 aluminum aloys
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorAwadh B. Pandey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for producing high strength aluminum alloy containing L12 intermetallic dispersoids by using gas atomization to produce powder that is then consolidated into L12 aluminum alloy billets or by casting the alloy into molds to produce L12 aluminum alloy billets or by casting the alloy into directly useable parts.
Claims15
A method for forming a heat treatable high strength aluminum alloy containing L12 dispersoids, comprising the steps of:
- preparing an aluminum alloy composition containing:
- at least one first element selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 to about 0.5 weight percent scandium, about 0.1 to about 6.0 weight percent erbium, about 0.1 to about 10.0 weight percent thulium, about 0.1 to about 15.0 weight percent ytterbium, and about 0.1 to about 12.0 weight percent lutetium;
- at least one second element selected from the group consisting of about 0.1 to about 4.0 weight percent gadolinium, about 0.1 to about 4.0 weight percent yttrium, about 0.05 to about 1.0 weight percent zirconium, about 0.05 to about 2.0 weight percent titanium, about 0.05 to about 2.0 weight percent hafnium, and about 0.05 to about 1.0 weight percent niobium to the aluminum alloy;
- at least one third element selected from the group consisting of about 4 to about 18 weight percent silicon, about 0.4 to about 3 weight percent magnesium, about 1 to about 2 weight percent lithium, about 3.5 to about 6.5 weight percent copper, about 4 to about 10 weight percent zinc, and about 1 to about 8 weight percent nickel;
- melting the composition to form an alloy;
- casting the alloy to form a solid product;
- and
- heat treating the alloy to form L12 dispersoids.
7-8. (canceled)
11-14. (canceled)
The method of claim 18, wherein the heat treating comprises:
- solution heat treatment at about 800° F. (426° C.) to about 1100° F. (593° C.) for about thirty minutes to four hours;
- quenching;
- and
- aging at a temperature of about 200° F. (93° C.) to about 600° F. (315° C.) for about two to forty eight hours.
16-17. (canceled)
A method for producing a heat treatable high strength aluminum alloy billet containing L12 dispersoids, comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a melt comprising:
- at least one first element selected from the group comprising about 0.1 to about 0.35 weight percent scandium, about 0.1 to about 4.0 weight percent erbium, about 0.1 to about 6.0 weight percent thulium, about 0.2 to about 8.0 weight percent ytterbium, and about 0.2 to about 8.0 weight percent lutetium;
- at least one second element selected from the group comprising about 0.2 to about 2.0 weight percent gadolinium, about 0.2 to about 2.0 weight percent yttrium, about 0.1 to about 0.75 weight percent zirconium, about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent titanium, about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent hafnium, and about 0.1 to about 0.75 weight percent niobium
- at least one third element selected from the group consisting of about 4 to about 18 weight percent silicon, about 0.4 to about 3 weight percent magnesium, about 1 to about 2 weight percent lithium, about 3.5 to about 6.5 weight percent copper, about 4 to about 10 weight percent zinc, and about 1 to about 8 weight percent nickel;
- the balance substantially aluminum;
- (b) solidifying the melt to form a solid body;
- and
- (c) heat treating the solid body.
20-25. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.