Alcan Research and Development Limited

John D Thomson

Larry Roy Morris

A dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy is produced by continuously casting an aluminum alloy containing 4 - 15% Si and other optional constituents in the form of a slab at a growth rate in excess of 25 cm/min. to solidify silicon in the form of elongated rods in a size range of 0.05 - 0.5 microns diameter. The cast slab is then subjected to at least 60% reduction to fragment the elongated silicon rods into finely divided particles, at least the final part of the reduction being effected by cold rolling, the cold-rolled sheet being subjected to a final annealing treatment at a temperature in the range of 250.degree. - 400.degree. C.

Producing improved metal alloy products

A dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy sheet is produced by casting an Al-Fe 1.1 - 2.5% alloy optionally containing Si up to 2.0% and, optionally, proportions of other specified alloying constituents. The alloy is cast in the form of a slab at a growth rate in excess of 25 cm/min. at a thickness of less than 25 mm so that intermetallics are formed in the slab in the form of fine rods of a diameter of 0.05 - 0.5 micron. These rods are then segmented by reducing the slab by at least 60% by rolling to develop a dispersion of fine intermetallic particles. By final annealing the rolled sheet at a temperature in the range of 250.degree. - 400.degree. C a sheet having a good combination of yield strength and formability is obtained (as indicated by a yield strength of greater than 15 k.s.i. and tensile elongation greater than 15%).

Growing community of inventors

Regina, Canada

John D Thomson