Abstract:
New aluminum-magnesium-lithium alloys, and methods for producing the same are disclosed. The alloys generally contain 2.0-3.9 wt. % Mg, 0.1-1.8 wt. % Li, up to 1.5 wt. % Cu, up to 2.0 wt. % Zn, up to 1.0 wt. % Ag, up to 1.5 wt. % Mn, up to 0.5 wt. % Si, up to 0.35 wt. % Fe, 0.05 to 0.50 wt. % of a grain structure control element, up to 0.10 wt. % Ti, and up to 0.10 wt. % of any other element, with the total of these other elements not exceeding 0.35 wt. %, the balance being aluminum.
Abstract:
New 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The new methods may include preparing a 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product for solution heat treatment, solution heat treating and then quenching the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product, and then exposing the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product to a treatment temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C. for 0.2 to 300 seconds. After the exposing step, the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet product may be coiled and then placed in an ambient environment. Due to the post-quench heating and subsequent exposure to ambient, a preselected amount of Newtonian cooling may be induced, thereby creating a unique and consistent microstructure within the 6xxx aluminum alloy sheet products.