A preparation process for high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle boxes

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of aluminum profile production, specifically to a process for preparing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies. This process solves the problem of insufficient consistency in the production of aluminum alloy profiles produced by the applicant's original technical solutions. The forming process includes the following steps: a) Casting ingots: The ingot consists of n sheet-like main ingots and n sheet-like support ingots. The two ends of each main ingot are connected end-to-end to form a ring structure, and each support ingot is positioned at the connection point of each main ingot; b) Placing the ingot into an extrusion die and extruding it through an extruder to obtain an aluminum alloy profile blank. The cross-section of the blank is the cross-sectional shape of the base and the support feet; c) Performing online water mist quenching treatment on the extrusion die outlet of the extrusion profile; d) Stretching and straightening the quenched aluminum alloy profile and artificially aging it to obtain the aluminum profile.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aluminum profile production, specifically to a process for preparing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies. Background Technology

[0002] Aluminum alloys are metallic substances made primarily of aluminum, with appropriate amounts of other elements added to achieve different physical and chemical properties. This improves the inherent properties of aluminum to meet various industrial and everyday needs. Currently, the aluminum alloys used in new energy vehicle battery boxes are mostly 6-series aluminum alloys. While these alloys inherently possess high strength, adding different metallic elements to improve chemical properties such as corrosion resistance reduces their original strength, tensile strength, and toughness, making it impossible to simultaneously improve both chemical properties and overall performance.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, the applicant filed a technical solution with publication number CN116815025A on June 30, 2023, entitled "A 6-series aluminum alloy battery box for new energy vehicles." The cross-section of this battery box has a base as the main body and extensions extending outwards from the base. The extensions are functional supports extending from the base in all directions. The application also illustrates a method for manufacturing this aluminum alloy: the base is a square structure with a central hole; the extensions are functional supports extending from the base in all directions; the center of the hole is taken as the base point; the distance from the base point to the sidewall of the hole is L1; the overall wall thickness of the aluminum profile is L2; ​​and the forming process includes the following steps:

[0004] a. Casting ingots: The ingots include a hollow main ingot and support ingots attached to the outer surface of the ingot. The number of support ingots is the same as the number of support legs and they are distributed in the same position. The wall thickness of the main ingot is controlled between (L1-L2) / 10 and (L1+L2) / 5. The cross-section of the main ingot is circular or near-circular.

[0005] b. Place the ingot into the extrusion die and extrude it through the extruder to obtain an aluminum alloy profile blank. The cross-section of the blank is the cross-sectional shape of the base and the support.

[0006] c. The extruded aluminum alloy profiles are subjected to online water mist quenching treatment at the extrusion die exit;

[0007] d. The quenched aluminum alloy profile is stretched and straightened, and then artificially aged to obtain the aluminum profile.

[0008] During the subsequent production process, the applicant discovered that the ingot casting process first requires forming a hollow main ingot before the main ingot and the support ingot are extruded to form aluminum alloy profile blanks. Since the thickness of the profiles is not large, and the main ingot forms a hollow structure, uneven distribution of materials occurs in some areas, resulting in inconsistent quality of the aluminum profiles produced later. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a process for preparing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies, which solves the problem of insufficient consistency in the production of aluminum alloy profiles produced by the applicant's original technical solution.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0011] A process for manufacturing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies, wherein the aluminum alloy profile has a base as the main body and supports extending outward from the base, and the number of supports is defined as n. The forming process includes the following steps:

[0012] a. Casting ingots: The ingots consist of n sheet-like main ingots and n sheet-like support ingots. The two ends of each main ingot are connected to form a ring structure, and each support ingot is arranged at the connection position of each main ingot.

[0013] b. Place the ingot into the extrusion die and extrude it through the extruder to obtain an aluminum alloy profile blank. The cross-section of the blank is the cross-sectional shape of the base and the support.

[0014] c. The extruded aluminum alloy profiles are subjected to online water mist quenching treatment at the extrusion die exit;

[0015] d. The quenched aluminum alloy profile is stretched and straightened, and then artificially aged to obtain the aluminum profile.

[0016] Preferably, the thickness of each main ingot gradually decreases from the two ends toward the middle.

[0017] Preferably, the thickness of each main ingot gradually increases from the two ends toward the middle.

[0018] Preferably, the cross-section of the main ingot is "L" shaped or arc-shaped.

[0019] Preferably, the cross-section of the support spindle is a cone shape with a gradually changing thickness, and the end with the smaller thickness is located at the connection end between the support spindle and the main spindle sheet.

[0020] Preferably, the extrusion die includes a die pad, an upper die, and a die sleeve for fixing. A cooling system is provided on the outside of the die sleeve. The die pad has a pad hole at its center, and the upper die has an extrusion hole at its center corresponding to the pad hole. The extrusion hole has a core that fits to and passes through the pad hole. The core and the output end of the extrusion hole form the working part for aluminum profile forming. The upper die at the rear end of the working part is a hollow part for maintaining the size stability of the aluminum profile. The inner wall of the core and the extrusion hole forms the pre-forming area of ​​the ingot. The radial dimension of the core located in the pre-forming area gradually decreases from the pad hole side to the working part side, and the radial dimension of the extrusion hole at the corresponding position is set accordingly.

[0021] Preferably, the base comprises the following components in mass percentage: Si 1.35-1.45%, Fe 0.21%, Cu 0.05%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.50-0.55%, Zn 0.05%, Ti 0.02%, total impurities ≤0.15%, and the balance Al.

[0022] Preferably, the support leg comprises the following components by mass percentage: Si 1.05-1.5%, Fe ≤0.5%, Cu ≤0.5%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.80-1.55%, Zn ≤0.08%, Ti 0.06-0.08%, Ga / Cr 0.3-0.5%, total impurities ≤0.15%, and the balance Al.

[0023] By adopting the aforementioned technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] This technical solution addresses the current shortcomings of poor consistency by improving the production process. The original single main ingot is decomposed according to the number of support legs to form a sheet-like main ingot structure. The sheet-like main ingot is much easier to form than the original hollow main ingot structure, and the material distribution of the main ingot is easier to control and adjust. During the forming process, the support ingots that form the support legs are placed at the connection position at the end of the main ingot. During the extrusion forming process, the material of the support ingot can be fully fused and connected with the main ingots on both sides and penetrate into the interior of the formed aluminum profile (i.e., the inner wall of the base). After forming, the connection between the base and the support legs is tighter, and the structural stability is stronger.

[0025] Furthermore, this technical solution still has the function of designing product structures with different mass ratios according to different parts and structures of the product. The base, which is the main component, uses high-strength aluminum alloy developed in the direction of high strength, while the support legs can be selected with different mass ratios of aluminum alloys according to the needs to meet different product usage requirements. For example, elements such as Ga / Cr can be added to improve its corrosion resistance, thereby improving the performance on the basis of raw materials and further improving the responsive chemical properties on the basis of traditional electrostatic spraying. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the ingot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the extrusion die in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the aluminum profile according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of another structural aluminum profile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure descriptions: 100, base; 101, support foot; 200, main ingot sheet; 201, support ingot; 1, mold pad; 11, pad hole; 2, upper mold; 21, extrusion hole; 211, working part; 212, preforming area; 213, empty blade part; 22, core part; 3, mold sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following will describe in detail the implementation of the present invention with reference to specific embodiments, so that the process of how the present invention uses technical means to solve technical problems and achieve technical effects can be fully understood and implemented accordingly.

[0032] Example

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A process for manufacturing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies, wherein the aluminum alloy has a base 100 as the main body in cross-section and support legs 101 extending outward from the base 100. Specifically, the base 100 includes the following components by mass percentage:

[0034] The composition of the support 101 is as follows: Si 1.35-1.45%, Fe 0.21%, Cu 0.05%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.50-0.55%, Zn 0.05%, Ti 0.02%, with total impurities ≤0.15% and the balance being Al; while the support 101 comprises the following components by mass percentage: Si 1.05-1.5%, Fe ≤0.5%, Cu ≤0.5%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.80-1.55%, Zn ≤0.08%, Ti 0.06-0.08%, Ga / Cr 0.3-0.5%, with total impurities ≤0.15% and the balance being Al.

[0035] The number of the support legs 101 is defined as n, where n is 2; the forming process includes the following steps:

[0036] a. Casting the ingot: The ingot consists of two sheet-like main ingot pieces 200 and two sheet-like support ingots 201. The two ends of each main ingot piece 200 are connected end to end to form a ring structure. Each support ingot 201 is arranged at the connection position of each main ingot piece 200. Here, the cross-section of the main ingot piece 200 is "L" shaped or arc-shaped to facilitate the formation of the bending angle of the base 100.

[0037] b. The ingot is placed into the extrusion die and extruded through an extruder to obtain an aluminum alloy profile blank. The cross-section of the blank is the cross-sectional shape of the base 100 and the support 101. Specifically, the extrusion die includes a die pad 1, an upper die 2, and a die sleeve 3 for fixing. A cooling system is provided on the outside of the die sleeve 3 (for the structure of the cooling system, please refer to the prior application CN116815025). A) The die pad 1 has a pad hole 11 at its center, and the upper die 2 has an extrusion hole 21 at its center corresponding to the pad hole 11. The extrusion hole 21 has a core 22 at its center that is adapted to it and passes through the pad hole 11. The output end of the core 22 and the extrusion hole 21 is the working part 211 for forming aluminum profiles. The upper die 2 at the rear end of the working part 211 is a hollow part 213 for maintaining the size stability of the aluminum profile. The inner wall of the core 22 and the extrusion hole 21 is the pre-forming area 212 of the ingot. Here, the radial dimension of the core 22 located in the pre-forming area 212 gradually decreases from the pad hole 11 side to the working part 211 side, and the radial dimension of the extrusion hole 21 at the corresponding position is set accordingly. In this way, the size of the extrusion hole 21 can gradually decrease as the extrusion press changes during operation. As a result, when the working part 211 is in position, the wall thickness of the ingot forms a more reasonable thickness dimension, and there will be no large thickness change during the forming of the working part 211. The extrusion process of the ingot is gradual and uniform, reducing the amount of change in the internal fine grain structure.

[0038] c. The extruded aluminum alloy profiles are subjected to online water mist quenching treatment at the extrusion die exit;

[0039] d. The quenched aluminum alloy profile is stretched and straightened, and then artificially aged to obtain the aluminum profile. This technical solution addresses the current shortcomings of poor consistency by improving the production process. The original single main ingot is decomposed according to the number of supports 101 to form a sheet-like main ingot sheet 200 structure. The sheet-like main ingot sheet 200 is significantly easier to form than the original hollow main ingot structure, and the material distribution of the main ingot sheet 200 is easier to control and adjust. During the forming process, the supports 201, which constitute the supports 101, are arranged at the connection positions at the ends of the main ingot sheet 200. During the extrusion forming process, the material of the supports 201 can be fully fused and connected with the main ingot sheets 200 on both sides, and penetrates deep into the interior of the formed aluminum profile (i.e., the inner wall of the base 100). After forming, the connection between the base 100 and the supports 101 is tighter, and the structural stability is stronger.

[0040] Furthermore, this technical solution still has the function of designing product structures with different mass ratios according to different parts and structures of the product. The base 100, which is the main component, is made of high-strength aluminum alloy developed in the direction of high strength, while the support 101 can be made of aluminum alloy with different mass ratios according to the needs to meet different product usage requirements. For example, elements such as Ga / Cr can be added to improve its corrosion resistance, improve the performance on the basis of raw materials, and further improve the chemical properties of the response on the basis of traditional electrostatic spraying.

[0041] In terms of the product, it has the following two structural designs to increase the degree of material fusion and improve the strength on the basis of previous technical solutions while ensuring consistency: the cross-section of the support 201 is a cone shape with a gradually changing thickness, and the end with the smaller thickness is located at the connection end between the support 201 and the main slab 200.

[0042] Firstly, the thickness of each main ingot 200 gradually decreases from the two ends towards the center. In this case, as... Figure 3 As shown, the material of the main ingot 200 will extend outward over a large area until it partially covers the support ingot 201, forming a clamping shape on both sides of the support ingot 201.

[0043] Secondly, the thickness of each main ingot 200 gradually increases from the two ends towards the center. In this case, as... Figure 4 As shown, the material of the support 201 will partially extend into and be formed by the extrusion mold, forming a T-shaped structure embedded in the base 100 and having a certain embedding surface, thus forming an embedded structure for the base 100.

[0044] The above only shows two specific example structures. Similar structural variations based on this principle also conform to the spirit and scope of this technical solution. Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and all such changes are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A process for preparing high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profiles for new energy vehicle bodies, wherein the aluminum alloy has a base (100) as the main body in cross-section and supports (101) extending outward from the base (100), wherein the number of supports (101) is defined as n, characterized in that, Its molding process includes the following steps: a. Casting ingots: The ingots consist of n sheet-like main ingot pieces (200) and n sheet-like support ingots (201). The two ends of each main ingot piece (200) are connected to form a ring structure, and each support ingot (201) is arranged at the connection position of each main ingot piece (200). b. The ingot is placed into the extrusion die and extruded by the extruder to obtain an aluminum alloy profile blank. The cross-section of the blank is the cross-sectional shape of the base (100) and the support (101). c. The extruded aluminum alloy profiles are subjected to online water mist quenching treatment at the extrusion die exit; d. The quenched aluminum alloy profile is stretched and straightened, and then artificially aged to obtain the aluminum alloy profile. The thickness of each of the main ingots (200) gradually decreases from the two ends toward the middle; Or the thickness of each of the main ingots (200) gradually increases from the two ends toward the middle; Or the cross-section of the main ingot (200) is "L" shaped or arc-shaped; Alternatively, the cross-section of the support (201) may be a cone shape with gradually varying thickness, and the end with the smaller thickness may be located at the connection end between the support (201) and the main spindle (200).

2. The manufacturing process of high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profile for new energy vehicle bodies according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extrusion die includes a die pad (1), an upper die (2), and a die sleeve (3) for fixing. A cooling system is provided on the outside of the die sleeve (3). The die pad (1) has a pad hole (11) in the center. The upper die (2) has an extrusion hole (21) in the center corresponding to the pad hole (11). The extrusion hole (21) has a core (22) in the center that is adapted to it and passes through the pad hole (11). The output end of the core (22) and the extrusion hole (21) is the working part (211) for aluminum profile forming. The upper die (2) at the rear end of the working part (211) is a hollow part (213) for maintaining the size stability of the aluminum profile. The inner wall of the core (22) and the extrusion hole (21) is the pre-forming area (212) of the ingot. The radial dimension of the core (22) located in the pre-forming area (212) gradually decreases from the pad hole (11) side to the working part (211) side. The radial dimension of the extrusion hole (21) at the corresponding position is set accordingly.

3. The manufacturing process of high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profile for new energy vehicle body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (100) comprises the following components in the following mass percentages: Si 1.35-1.45%, Fe 0.21%, Cu 0.05%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.50-0.55%, Zn 0.05%, Ti 0.02%, total impurities ≤0.15%, and balance Al.

4. The manufacturing process of high-toughness modified 6061 aluminum alloy profile for new energy vehicle body according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support (101) comprises the following components by mass percentage: Si 1.05-1.5%, Fe ≤0.5%, Cu ≤0.5%, Mn 0.44-0.48%, Mg 0.80-1.55%, Zn ≤0.08%, Ti 0.06-0.08%, Ga / Cr 0.3-0.5%, total impurities ≤0.15%, and the balance Al.

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