High performance forged aluminum connecting rod and method of making the same

A method of manufacturing a high performance light weight aluminum connection rod which does not suffer substantial elongation or deformation under high performance conditions without compromising strength characteristics, comprising:

• providing an extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank, said aluminum alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, about 7.6 to 8.4 percent zinc, about 1.8 to 2.3 percent magnesium, about 2.0 to 2.6 percent copper, and about 0.08 to 0.25 percent zirconium, the balance comprising substantially aluminum and containing other incidental elements and impurities and which aluminum alloy is capable of withstanding high compressive loading;
• heating said extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank to a forging temperature having a range from approximately 500.degree. Fahrenheit to approximately 800 degrees Fahrenheit;
• forging said heated extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank into a connecting rod forging;
• and
• machining said connecting rod forging into a finished connecting rod having improved compressive yield strength with a relatively long operating life without compromising dimensional parameters.

A method of manufacturing a high performance light weight aluminum connecting rod which does not suffer substantial elongation or deformation under high performance conditions without compromising strength characteristics, comprising:

• providing an extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank, said aluminum alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, about 7.6 to 8.4 percent zinc, about 1.8 to 2.3 percent magnesium, about 2.0 to 2.6 percent copper, about 0.08 to 0.25 percent zirconium, about 0.05 percent manganese, about 0.10 percent silicon, about 0.15 percent iron, about 0.04 percent chromium, and about 0.06 percent titanium, the balance comprising substantially aluminum and impurities and which aluminum alloy is capable of withstanding high compressive loading;
• heating said extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank to a forging temperature having a range from approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit to approximately 800 degrees Fahrenheit;
• forging said heated extruded aluminum alloy bar stock blank into a connecting rod forging;
• and
• machining said connecting rod forging into a finished connecting rod having improved compressive yield strength with a relatively long operating life without compromising dimensional parameters.