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US 8,298,682 B2Granted
Metal bodies containing microcavities and apparatus and methods relating thereto
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsHasso Weiland, Markus Heinimann, Robert C. Pahl, Achim Hofmann, John Liu
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Abstract
Monolithic metal bodies (e.g., hard aluminum alloys) comprising a continuous microcavity contained within the body are disclosed. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the metal body to the cross-sectional area of the microcavity may be not greater than 10. The produced metal bodies may be used in structural applications (e.g., aerospace vehicles) to monitor or test the integrity of the metal body.
Claims11
A manufacture comprising:
- an extruded monolithic aluminum alloy body comprising:
- an attach flange portion;
- an upstanding flange portion connected to the attach flange portion;
- wherein the upstanding flange portion has at least one portion that is generally perpendicular to the attach flange portion;
- wherein the extruded monolithic aluminum alloy body is made from an aluminum alloy having a tensile yield strength of at least 50 ksi;
- wherein the extruded metal body comprises at least one continuous microcavity;
- wherein the at least one continuous microcavity is adapted to allow at least one of:
- (i) monitoring of the structural integrity of the extruded metal body;
- and
- (ii) testing of the structural integrity of the extruded metal body.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.