Novelis, Inc.

Yi Wang

Rajeev G Kamat

Samuel Robert Wagstaff

Duane E Bendzinski

Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty

Wei Wen

Tudor Piroteala

Rajasekhar Talla

David Leyvraz

Rahul Vilas Kulkarni

Julie Richard

Yudie Yuan

Johnson Go

Peter Lloyd Redmond

Cedric Wu

Described herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Rapidly aged, high strength, heat treatable aluminum alloy products and methods of making the same

Aluminum and aluminum alloy microstructures that are adapted for improved performance during shaping and forming production processes. Lower relative ratios of alpha fibers, particularly low-end alpha fibers, to beta fibers promotes improved formability of aluminum sheet or blanks without negatively impacting material strength. Beta fibers with higher relative ratios of S and Copper texture components improve formability and produce fewer and more uniform distortions during production. The resulting improvements in quality allow for cupping, drawing, wall ironing, shaping, and necking processes to be carried out faster and with reduced rates of spoilage.

Aluminum microstructure for highly shaped products and associated methods

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Kennesaw, GA, United States of America

Yi Wang