Alcoa Inc.

David A Lukasak

Gary H Bray

John Liu

Robert C Pahl

Thomas J Klemp

David A King

A method of press quenching a 6020 aluminum alloy comprising the steps of providing an ingot or billet of 6020 aluminum alloy consisting essentially of about 0.5 to about 0.6% silicon, about 0.7 to about 0.8% magnesium, about 0.55 to about 0.65% copper, about 0.35 to about 0.45% iron, about 0.01 to about 0.04% manganese, about 1.05 to about 1.15% tin, and about 0.04 to about 0.06% chromium; homogenizing the billet, cooling the billet, reheating the billet, extruding the billet, quenching the extrusion, and artificially aging the extrusion. The alloy has enhanced productivity, strength, and machinability and can be used as a direct replacement for lead containing alloy 6262 T-6.

Method of press quenching aluminum alloy 6020

A substantially unrecrystallized extrusion comprising about 3.6 to about 4.2 wt. % copper, about 1.0 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to about 0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to 0.25% zirconium, the balance substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The extrusion has a longitudinal yield strength of at least about 50 ksi and a longitudinal tensile ultimate strength of at least about 70 ksi. On a preferred basis, the extrusions of this invention include very low levels of both iron and silicon, typically on the order of less than 0.1 wt. % each, and more preferably about 0.05 wt. % or less iron and about 0.03 wt. % or less silicon.

Aluminum alloy extrusions having a substantially unrecrystallized structure

A method of producing an aluminum base alloy extruded product. The method comprises (a) providing a body of an aluminum base alloy; (b) homogenizing the body at an elevated temperature not exceeding its eutectic temperature for a sufficient period of time to provide a homogeneous distribution of the readily soluble alloy elements, (c) rapidly cooling the body; (d) reheating the body to a reheat temperature of at least 700&deg; F. for a period of at least 0.5 hours; (e) extruding the body from the reheat temperature; (f) solution heat treating the body; and (g) quenching and aging the body.

Extrusion method utilizing maximum exit temperature from the die

A substantially unrecrystallized extrusion comprising about 3.6 to about 4.2 wt. % copper, about 1.0 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to about 0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.05 to about 0.25% zirconium, the balance substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The extrusion has a longitudinal yield strength of at least about 50 ksi and a longitudinal tensile ultimate strength of at least about 70 ksi. On a preferred basis, the extrusions of this invention include very low levels of both iron and silicon, typically on the order of less than 0.1 wt. % each, and more preferably about 0.05 wt. % or less iron and about 0.03 wt. % or less silicon.

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Lafayette, IN, United States of America

David A Lukasak