CA-3298446-A1 - HIGH-STRENGTH 6XXX EXTRUSION ALLOYS

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a 6xxx aluminum alloy having: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; a weight ratio of Mg to Si in the 6xxx aluminum alloy from 0.68:1.0 to 1.65:1.0; and copper (Cu) in an amount of 0.30 wt% to 0.8 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. Some embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to a method including steps of: casting an exemplary 6xxx aluminum alloy, homogenizing the exemplary 6xxx aluminum alloy; extruding the exemplary 6xxx aluminum alloy; and aging the 6xxx aluminum alloy.

Inventors

• Xinyan Yan
• Francis Caron

Assignees

• ALCOA USA CORP.

Dates

Publication Date

20260302

Application Date

20201222

Priority Date

20191223

Claims (1)

1. <pat:ClaimStatement>CLAIMS</pat:ClaimStatement> <pat:Claims com:id="claims"> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00001"> <pat:ClaimNumber>1</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>1. A 6xxx aluminum alloy consisting of: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a weight ratio of Mg to Si in the 6xxx aluminum alloy is from </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00002"> <pat:ClaimNumber>2</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>2. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 1, wherein the other elements are selected from the group consisting of: titanium (Ti), boron (B), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and any combination thereof. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00003"> <pat:ClaimNumber>3</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>3. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 1 or 2, wherein up to 0.95 wt% of Mg based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in a Mg₂Si phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00004"> <pat:ClaimNumber>4</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>4. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein up to 0.5 wt% of Si based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Mg₂Si phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00005"> <pat:ClaimNumber>5</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>5. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 0.16 wt% to 0.78 wt% of Mg based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in an Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₅ ("Q") phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00006"> <pat:ClaimNumber>6</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>6. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 0.14 wt% to 0.68 wt% of Si based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Q phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00007"> <pat:ClaimNumber>7</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>7. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% of Cu based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Q phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00008"> <pat:ClaimNumber>8</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>8. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein 0.11 wt% to 0.54 wt% of Cu based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in an Al₂Cu phase. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00009"> <pat:ClaimNumber>9</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>9. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 8, having a yield strength of at least 350 MPa. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00010"> <pat:ClaimNumber>10</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>10. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 9, having a yield strength of at least 370 MPa. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00011"> <pat:ClaimNumber>11</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>11. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 9, having a yield strength of 350 MPa to 400 MPa. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00012"> <pat:ClaimNumber>12</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>12. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 1 to 11, having a yield strength of 370 MPa to 400 MPa. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00013"> <pat:ClaimNumber>13</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>13. A 6xxx aluminum alloy consisting essentially of: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a sum total of the Si and the Mg is present in an amount of from </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00014"> <pat:ClaimNumber>14</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>14. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 13, wherein each of the other elements, when present, is present in amount of less than 0.05 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00015"> <pat:ClaimNumber>15</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>15. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 13 or 14, wherein a total of the other elements is less than 0.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00016"> <pat:ClaimNumber>16</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>16. A 6xxx aluminum alloy comprising: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a weight ratio of Mg to Si in the 6xxx aluminum alloy is from </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00017"> <pat:ClaimNumber>17</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>17. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 16, wherein a sum total of the Si and the Mg is present in an amount of from 1.5% to 2.2% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00018"> <pat:ClaimNumber>18</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>18. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 16 or 17 further comprising iron (Fe) in an amount of </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00019"> <pat:ClaimNumber>19</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>19. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 16 to 18 further comprising manganese (Mn) in an amount of 0.25 wt% to 0.65 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00020"> <pat:ClaimNumber>20</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>20. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 16 to 19 further comprising zirconium (Zr) in an amount of at most 0.2 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00021"> <pat:ClaimNumber>21</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>21. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 16 to 20 further comprising chromium (Cr) in an amount of at most 0.2 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00022"> <pat:ClaimNumber>22</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>22. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising other elements in an amount of less than 0.05 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00023"> <pat:ClaimNumber>23</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>23. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 22, wherein a total of the other elements is less than </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="CLM-00024"> <pat:ClaimNumber>24</pat:ClaimNumber> <pat:ClaimText>24. The 6xxx aluminum alloy of claim 22 or 23, wherein the other elements are chosen from: titanium (Ti), boron (B), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), or any combination thereof. </pat:ClaimText> </pat:Claim> </pat:Claims>

Description

HIGH-STRENGTH 6XXX EXTRUSION ALLOYS RELATED APPLICATIONS [1] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/952,614, filed December 23, 2019. FIELD [2] The present disclosure relates to alloys, more particularly to aluminum alloys, and more particularly to 6xxx aluminum extrusion alloys. BACKGROUND [3] Aluminum extrusion alloys are used in the automotive industry. Aluminum extrusion alloys can achieve very complex shapes and profiles. One such alloy is the 6xxx series. The 6xxx alloy series may be used for automobile body structure, suspension and driveline components. [4] Aluminum extrusion alloys, such as 6xxx extrusion alloys may allow for innovative light- weight design with integrated functions. The average vehicle will use about 42 pounds of aluminum extrusions alloys by 2025. [5] There is a general need for improved extrusion alloys that, among other things, are strong, have good extrusion characteristics, perform better at elevated temperatures, and have improved corrosion performance. Some embodiments of the present disclosure address this need and others. SUMMARY [6] Covered embodiments are defined by the claims, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any or all drawings, and each claim. [7] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a 6xxx aluminum alloy consisting of: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a weight ratio of Mg to Si in the 6xxx aluminum alloy is from 0.68:1.0 to 1.65:1.0, and wherein a sum total of the Si and the Mg is present in an amount of from 1.5% to 2.2% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; copper (Cu) in an amount of 0.30 wt% to 0.8 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.12 wt% to 0.3 wt % based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; manganese (Mn) in an amount of 0.25 wt% to 0.65 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; zirconium (Zr) in an amount of at most 0.2 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; chromium (Cr) in an amount of at most 0.2 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; the balance aluminum (Al) and other elements; wherein each of the other elements is present in amount of less than or equal to 0.05 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a sum total of the other elements is less than 0.15% wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy. [8] In some embodiments, the other elements are selected from the group consisting of: titanium (Ti), boron (B), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and any combination thereof. [9] In some embodiments, up to 0.95 wt% of Mg based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in a Mg₂Si phase. [10] In some embodiments, up to 0.5 wt% of Si based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Mg₂Si phase. [11] In some embodiments, 0.16 wt% to 0.78 wt% of Mg based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in an Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₅ ("Q") phase. [12] In some embodiments, 0.14 wt% to 0.68 wt% of Si based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Q phase. [13] In some embodiments, 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% of Cu based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in the Q phase. [14] In some embodiments, 0.11 wt% to 0.54 wt% of Cu based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy is in an Al₂Cu phase. [15] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has a yield strength of at least 350 MPa. [16] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has a yield strength of at least 370 MPa. [17] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 350 MPa to 450 MPa. [18] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 370 MPa to 400 MPa. [19] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of at least 380 MPa. [20] In some embodiments, the 6xxx aluminum alloy has an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 380 MPa to 480 MPa. [21] Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a 6xxx aluminum alloy consisting essentially of: silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.70 wt% to 1.1 wt % based on a total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.75 wt% to 1.15 wt% based on the total weight of the 6xxx aluminum alloy; wherein a sum total of t