A high strength cast aluminum alloy with accelerated response to heat treatment

a technology of accelerated response and cast aluminum, which is applied in the field of high-performance cast aluminum alloys with an accelerated can solve the problems of reducing the variability of the response to heat treatment, and achieve the effects of dimensional stability, reduced aging times, and enhanced thermal growth kinetics

Inactive Publication Date: 2004-10-28
FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
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Benefits of technology

0037] Again, it is clear that even small additions of Sn (less than 0.1 wt. %) significantly enhanced the kinetics of thermal growth, and hence the kinetics of growth of .theta.' precipitates. Even smaller levels of Sn seem to have an effect on aging at 240.degree. C., as compared with 180.degree. C. However, the overall response at 240.degree. C. is somewhat less (about a 15-20% increase) than that observed at 180.degree. C. (about a 50% increase).
0038] In specifications for many currently used Al--Si--Cu cast alloys (e.g., 320-type or 319-type alloys), either Sn levels are not specified, or else only a maximum Sn level is specified, but not a minimum. Our results show that a minimum Sn level should be specified in cast Al--Si--Cu alloys that are subjected to overaging for dimensional stability. By using a narrower distribution of Sn levels closer to 0.1 wt. % (the current upper bound of the specification for W319), it is believed that aging times coul

Problems solved by technology

This new alloy also results in decreased va

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  • A high strength cast aluminum alloy with accelerated response to heat treatment
  • A high strength cast aluminum alloy with accelerated response to heat treatment
  • A high strength cast aluminum alloy with accelerated response to heat treatment

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[0025] As a comparative example, an Al--Si--Cu--Mg casting alloy was selected to illustrate the concepts described here. An alloy generally conforming to but having a more limited range of composition as A320, identified as W319 aluminum, was obtained from Alchem Aluminum, Inc. Four target Sn concentrations were used for comparison: (1) "base," (2) "0.01 addition," (3) "0.04 addition," and (4) "0.08 addition," where the additions are in weight percent. These concentrations were obtained by adding 99.9% pure Sn to the W319 material. To determine the chemical compositions of the alloys, optical emission spectrometer analysis is sufficient for compositions having levels greater than 1000 ppm. However, for lower level compositions, the more accurate analysis by a glow discharge mass spectrometry is preferred. Both techniques were used for comparative purposes. Table 1, set forth below, provides the chemical composition of base alloy and Sn additions used for comparison. All reported com...

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Abstract

The invention relates to an improved cast Al alloy designed to provide an accelerated response to heat treatment; specifically, the alloy's response to thermal growth during aging is accelerated, leading to a dimensionally more stable casting. This improvement is achieved by the addition of trace amounts of Sn, In, Ge or Cd to an Al-Si-Cu cast alloy. The improved alloy has particular application for cast Al engine blocks and cylinder heads.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 320,143 filed Apr. 24, 2003.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The field of this invention relates to cast aluminum alloys having an accelerated response to heat treatment and a method for the same.[0004] 2. Background Art[0005] Cast aluminum engine blocks and cylinder heads, such as those made from Al--Si--Cu--Mg alloys (e.g., a broad array of the 3xx.x class of alloys), are often heat-treated after casting to impart increased mechanical strength to the alloy via precipitation hardening. The heat treatment process usually comprises a solution treatment stage, a quenching stage, and an aging stage. During the solution treatment stage, the alloy is heated above its solubility limit to homogenize the alloy. The length of time that the alloy is heated above its solubility limit is often dictated by the amount of inhomogeneity in the alloy before heat treatment. During the q...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C22C21/02C22C21/04
CPCC22C21/02
Inventor WOLVERTON, CHRISTOPHERZINDEL, JACOBGODLEWSKI, LARRY
Owner FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
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