US 5,597,529 A · Aluminum-scandium alloys

Abstract

A method for assembling a structure using a filler alloy which includes aluminum and scandium. The method generally includes selecting parts for the structure which are formed from aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy and welding the same together with the aluminum-scandium filler alloy. Similar to the filler alloy, the parts may also include scandium. In one embodiment, the filler alloy and/or the parts further include zirconium. A method for assembling a bicycle frame is also provided. The method includes the steps of forming a first tube, at least a portion of which comprises scandium, forming a second tube, at least a portion of which comprises scandium, and joining the first and second tubes together. A number of aluminum-based alloys are also disclosed which possess enhanced properties. The alloys include scandium in combination with other alloying elements such as, for example, zirconium, copper, magnesium and silicon.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An aluminum-based alloy comprising:

from about 0.20 to about 1.8 weight percent silicon;
from about 0.20 to about 0.80 weight percent manganese;
from about 0.40 to about 1.40 weight percent magnesium;
from about 0.01 to about 1.0 weight percent zirconium;
from about 0.02 to about 10.0 weight percent scandium;
and
from about 60 to about 99 weight percent aluminum, wherein any presence of chromium in said alloy is as an unavoidable impurity.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aluminum-scandium alloys

Life of this patent

Aluminum-scandium alloys

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21