US4415374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fine grained metal composition
Assignee: AEMP Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-30
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Granted: 1983-11-15
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Expires: 2002-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A fine grained metal composition suitable for forming in a partially solid, partially liquid condition. The composition is prepared by producing a solid metal composition having an essentially directional grain structure and heating the directional grain composition to a temperature above the solidus and below the liquidus to produce a partially solid, partially liquid mixture containing at least 0.05 volume fraction liquid. The composition, prior to heating, has a strain level introduced such that upon heating, the mixture comprises uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix. The heated alloy is then solidified while in a partially solid, partially liquid condition, the solidified composition having a uniform, fine grained microstructure.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth P. Young
- 👤 Curtis P. Kyonka
- 👤 James A. Courtois
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:40
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22C; C22C1/00; C22C1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A process for the preparation of a metal composition suitable for forming in a partially solid, partially liquid condition, said process comprising producing a solid metal composition having an essentially directional grain structure, heating said directional grain composition to a temperature above the solidus and below the liquidus to produce a partially solid, partially liquid mixture containing at least 0.05 volume fraction liquid, said composition prior to heating having a strain level introduced such that upon heating, the mixture comprises uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a matrix composition having a lower melting point than said particles, solidifying said heated composition, said solidified composition having a uniform, fine grained microstructure comprising uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for the preparation of a metal composition suitable for forming in a partially solid, partially liquid condition, said process comprising producing a solid metal composition having an essentially directional grain structure, heating said directional grain composition to a temperature above the solidus and below the liquidus to produce a partially solid, partially liquid mixture containing at least 0.05 volume fraction liquid, said composition prior to heating having a strain level introduced such that upon heating, the mixture comprises uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a matrix composition having a lower melting point than said particles, solidifying said heated composition, said solidified composition having a uniform, fine grained microstructure comprising uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 in which the directional grain structure is produced by hot working.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 in which said hot working step is performed by extruding said composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 in which the composition is cold worked subsequent to production of the directional grain structure to introduce said strain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 in which the strain is introduced during hot working.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 in which the cold working is effected by upsetting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 in which the cold working is effected by swaging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 in which the cold working is effected by drawing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 in which the cold working is effected by rolling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 in which said composition, prior to producing said directional grain structure, contains a dendritic structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 including the further step of shaping said composition while it is in a partially solid, partially liquid condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 11 in which said composition is shaped before said heated composition is solidified.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 12 in which said composition is shaped by press forging.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the composition is a casting alloy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the composition is a wrought alloy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the composition is an aluminum alloy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the composition is a copper alloy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 in which said directional grain composition is heated to a temperature at which the partially solid, partially liquid mixture contains up to 0.8 volume fraction liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 18 in which the composition is heated to a minimum volume fraction liquid of 0.10.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 19 in which the composition is heated to a 0.15 to 0.5 volume fraction liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for the preparation of a metal alloy suitable for forming in a partially solid, partially liquid condition, said process comprising hot extruding an alloy at a temperature below the solidus temperature to produce an essentially directional grain structure, cold working said extruded alloy to introduce strain therein, reheating said cold worked alloy to a temperature above the solidus and below the liquidus to produce a partially solid, partially liquid mixture containing from 0.05 to 0.8 volume fraction liquid, said alloy, prior to reheating, having a strain level such that upon reheating, the mixture comprises uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a matrix composition having a lower melting point than said particles, solidifying said reheated alloy to produce a solidified alloy having a uniform, fine grained microstructure comprising discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for the preparation of a metal alloy suitable for forming in a partially solid, partially liquid condition, said process comprising hot extruding an alloy at a temperature below the solidus temperature to produce an essentially directional grain structure, cold working said extruded alloy to introduce strain therein, reheating said cold worked alloy to a temperature above the solidus and below the liquidus to produce a partially solid, partially liquid mixture containing from 0.05 to 0.8 volume fraction liquid, said alloy, prior to reheating, having a strain level such that upon reheating, the mixture comprises uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a matrix composition having a lower melting point than said particles, solidifying said reheated alloy to produce a solidified alloy having a uniform, fine grained microstructure comprising discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 21 in which said reheated alloy is shaped while in a partially solid, partially liquid condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 21 in which said alloy is hot extruded at a hot extrusion ratio greater than 10 to 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
An aluminum alloy having a uniform, fine grained microstructure comprising uniform discrete spheroidal particles contained within a lower melting matrix produced in accordance with the process of claim 21.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-14 | 1987-05-16 | 1987-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-14 | 1991-05-16 | 1991-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-14 | 1995-05-16 | 1995-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |