Wrought aluminium AA7000-series alloy product and method of producing said product

Abstract

A wrought aluminium AA7000-series alloy product, including (in wt %): Zn 7.5 to 14.0, Mg 1.0 to 5.0, Cu<0.28, Fe<0.30, Si<0.25, and one or more members selected from the group of: Zr<0.30, Ti<0.30, Hf<0.30, Mn<0.80, Cr<0.40, V<0.40, and Sc<0.70, remainder: incidental elements and impurities, each <0.05, total <0.15, and balance aluminium. The product having reduced hot crack sensitivity, and improved strength and toughness properties, and when in artificially aged condition having a hardness of more than 180 HB.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 702,303, filed Jul. 26, 2005, and European patent application No. 05076673.2, filed Jul. 21, 2005, both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains to a weldable wrought aluminium AA7000-series alloy in the form of a rolled, extruded or forged product and to a method of producing said product. The invention further relates to a welded component comprising such a product. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] As will be appreciated herein below, except as otherwise indicated, alloy designations and temper designations refer to the Aluminum Association designations in Aluminum Standards and Data and the Registration Records, as published by the Aluminum Association.

[0004] For any description of alloy compositions or preferred alloy compositions, all references to percentages are by weight percent unless otherwise...