Reynolds Metals Company

Kenneth D Wade

Darwin H Scott

Michael H Skillingberg

In a method of extruding a 6000-series-type aluminum alloy by casting, homogenizing, extruding and optionally, aging and/or heat treating, an alloy composition is provided having silicon 0.6-1.2 wt. %, magnesium 0.7-1.2 wt. %, copper 0.3-1.1 wt. %, manganese 0.1-0.8 wt. %, zirconium 0.05-0.25 wt. %, up to 0.5 wt. % iron, up to 0.15 wt. % chromium, up to 0.25 wt. % zinc, up to 0.10 wt. % titanium with the balance aluminum and incidental impurities wherein an effective amount of zirconium, in combination with effective amounts of manganese, produces a fibrous grain structure which contributes to a combination of high strength and fracture toughness in the extruded alloy. The fibrous grain structure also permits improvements in forming the extrusion by enabling lower temperatures to be utilized during the homogenization step. In extruding this 6000-series-type aluminum alloy, a final product is produced having improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness for use in structural applications or the like.

Method of extruding a 6000-series aluminum alloy and an extruded product

An aluminum-based alloy composition having improved corrosion resistance and high extrudability consists essentially of about 0.1-0.5% by weight of manganese, about 0.05-0.12% by weight of silicon, about 0.10-0.20% by weight of titanium, about 0.15-0.25% by weight of iron and the balance aluminum, wherein the aluminum alloy is essentially copper free. The inventive alloy is useful in automotive applications, in particular, heat exchanger tubing and finstock, and foil packaging. The process provided by the invention uses a high extrusion ratio and produces a product having high corrosion resistance.

High extrudability, high corrosion resistant aluminum-manganese-titanium

An aluminum core alloy for use in the manufacture of brazed heat exchanger assemblies having high resistance to corrosion and moderate strength. A preferred composition of the aluminum base alloy consists of from 0.13 to 0.22% titanium, from 0.8 to 1.5% manganese, 0.4 to 0.6% copper, up to 0.7% iron, up to 0.3% silicon, up to 0.3% magnesium, with the balance being essentially aluminum and normal impurities. Another preferred composition, which is a modification of the preceding composition, includes 0.3 to 0.6% magnesium.

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Midlothian, VA, United States of America

Kenneth D Wade