Abstract:
The present disclosure generally provides aluminum alloy articles having improved bond durability at certain surfaces of the article. The disclosure also provides methods of making such materials, for example, via a selective etching process, as well as methods of using such articles in applications that involve bonding the article to other articles, such as other aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture made from such articles, including bonded aluminum articles. The disclosure also provides aluminum alloy articles having an inert or neutralized surface. The inert or neutralized surfaces described herein are characterized by surfaces containing oxidized copper. Also described herein are methods including etching a surface of the aluminum alloy articles with an oxidant. The resulting aluminum alloy articles exhibit desirable bond durability properties and exceptional corrosion resistance. The disclosure also provides various end uses of such articles, such as in automotive, transportation, electronics, and industrial applications.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a solar energy absorber unit for use in a solar energy absorbing device, and methods of producing the same. The unit includes a collector plate made of a heat- conductive material having a front surface adapted to absorb solar energy and to convert the solar energy to heat, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. A rear panel has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being attached to areas of the rear surface of the collector plate via a fluid-tight bond, whereby the inner surface of the panel and the rear surface of the collector plate together define a fluid-conveying channel between the areas of the rear surface of the plate where the panel is attached. The unit has connectors for introducing a heat extraction fluid into the channel and for removing the fluid therefrom. The collector plate and preferably the rear panel are each made of a core layer of an aluminum alloy provided with a cladding layer formed on a side of the core layer that confronts the fluid-conveying channel, the cladding layer being made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy having a total content of alloying elements and impurities, if any, of no more than 0.5 wt.%.