Abstract:
An aluminum base alloy containing zinc, copper and magnesium together with zirconium or both zirconium and manganese and with specially controlled composition limits exhibits very high strength when thermally treated to a condition having high resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Improved products of the alloy also exhibit low quench sensitivity and, accordingly, high strength even in very thick sections. A special aging treatment produces the optimum combination of strength and resistance to stress corrosion cracking properties.
Abstract:
AN ARTICLE COMPRISING AN ANODE MATERIAL COMPOSED OF A SOLUTION HEAT TREATABLE AND PRECIPITATION HARDENABLE ALUMINUM BASE ALLOY CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF 2 TO 8% ZINC, 0.5 TO 2% MAGNESIUM, 0.3 TO 2% SILICON, THE SILICON CONTENT AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST 0.45 TIMES THE MAGNESIUM CONTENT, THE BALANCE BEING ALUMINUM AND INCIDENTAL ELEMENTS AND A MAXIMUM OF 0.25% COPPER AND A MAXIMUM OF 0.25% CHROMIUM, AS IMPURITIES, THE MEMBER EXHIBITING A STABLE SOLUTION POTENTIAL UPON EXPOSURE TO VARYING THERMAL CONDITIONS. ALSO CONTEMPLATED IS A COMPOSITE HAVING A CLADDING COMPOSED OF THE MATERIAL AND A HEAT TREATABLE ALUMINUM ALLOY CORE.