US4874440A — Superplastic aluminum products and alloys

Claim 1

Independent Claim 53 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed aluminum alloy comprising more than 50% aluminum and including some amount of up to 10% each of one or more elements from the group of yttrium, gadolinium, holminum, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 53 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed aluminum alloy comprising more than 50% aluminum and including some amount of up to 10% each of one or more elements from the group of yttrium, gadolinium, holminum, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy contains one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 4% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, and 0.1 to 7% Li and 0.1 to 49% Zn.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.1 to 5% Li.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 1 where in said alloy contains 0.01 to 5% Sc.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3% Gd.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 2.5% Y.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3.5% Ho.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 1 wherein said article is substantially in the unrecrystallized condition.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 1 which contains two or more elements from said group.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 92 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed metal comprising aluminum and one or more phases that comprise an Ll 2 crystallographic structure having a lattice parameter misfit with aluminum's lattice parameter of not more than 10% at superplastic forming temperature and contains one or more elements of the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, said elements being present up to 10% each, up to 20% total, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 92 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed metal comprising aluminum and one or more phases that comprise an Ll 2 crystallographic structure having a lattice parameter misfit with aluminum's lattice parameter of not more than 10% at superplastic forming temperature and contains one or more elements of the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, said elements being present up to 10% each, up to 20% total, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

The article according to claim 11 that contains more than 50% aluminum.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 47 words

The article according to claim 11 that contains more than 50% aluminum and contains up to 20% Mg, up to 5% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

The article according to claim 11 wherein said article is substantially in the unrecrystallized condition.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 79 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed alloy containing (a) aluminum, (b) 0.1 to 1% scandium; (c) one or more of 0.01 to 3% Gd, 0.01 to 2.5% Y and 0.01 to 3.5% Ho; and (d) one or more from the group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 79 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed alloy containing (a) aluminum, (b) 0.1 to 1% scandium; (c) one or more of 0.01 to 3% Gd, 0.01 to 2.5% Y and 0.01 to 3.5% Ho; and (d) one or more from the group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The article according to claim 15 wherein said alloy contains 0.1 to 5% Li.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 15 which contains 0.01 to 3% gadolinium.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 15 which contains 0.01 to 2.5% yttrium.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 15 which contains 0.01 to 3.5% holmium.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 15 which contains 0.01 to 5% lithium.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 108 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed alloy containing aluminum and up to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysposium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, if Sc is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20% and additionally containing one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 108 words

A superplastically formed article of manufacture comprising a superplastically formed alloy containing aluminum and up to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysposium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, if Sc is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20% and additionally containing one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 63 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and including some amount of up to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 63 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and including some amount of up to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.05 to 5% of one or more of the group of yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 1 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 10% scandium.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 52 words

In the method according to claim 24 wherein said aluminous stock contains one or more of the following elements: up to 20% Mg, up to 2% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 52 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains one or more of the following elements: up to 20% Mg, up to 5% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 1% Sc.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3% Gd.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 2.5% Y.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3.5% Ho.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 56 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 11% Sc and one or more of the elements up to 20% Mg, up to 5% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said aluminous stock contains 50% or less aluminum.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 22 words

In the method according to claim 22 wherein two or more elements from said group are contained in said aluminous metal stock.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 82 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminum alloy stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminum alloy stock comprising more than 50% aluminum and including 0.01 to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 82 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminum alloy stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminum alloy stock comprising more than 50% aluminum and including 0.01 to 10% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 35 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.05 to 5% each of one or more of said elements of said group and the grand total thereof does not exceed 15%.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 44 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 10% Mg, 0.1 to 2% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 5% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, and 0.1 to 5% Li.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 52 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminous stock contains one or more of the following elements: up to 20% Mg, up to 5% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3% Gd.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 2.5% Y.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 21 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said aluminum alloy contains 0.01 to 1% Sc and 0.01 to 3.5% Ho.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 55 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said stock contains 0.01 to 10% Sc and one or more of the elements up to 20% Mg, up to 5% Si, up to 10% Ag, up to 10% Cu, up to 5% Ge, up to 7% Li, up to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 35 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 103 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and at least one phase that comprises an Ll 2 crystallographic structure having a lattice parameter misfit with aluminum's lattice parameter of not more than 10% at superplastic forming temperature and contains one or more elements of the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, said elements being present up to 10% each, up to 20% total, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 103 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and at least one phase that comprises an Ll 2 crystallographic structure having a lattice parameter misfit with aluminum's lattice parameter of not more than 10% at superplastic forming temperature and contains one or more elements of the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, said elements being present up to 10% each, up to 20% total, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the method according to claim 45 wherein the said misfit does not exceed 7%.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the method according to claim 45 wherein the said misfit does not exceed 5%.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 15 words

In the method according to claim 45 wherein at least one said phase includes aluminum.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 45 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 122 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and including (a) 0.1 to 5% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present and (b) one or more from the second group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 122 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising aluminum and including (a) 0.1 to 5% each of one or more of the elements from the group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20%, if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from said group also being present and (b) one or more from the second group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 50 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 1% scandium.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 51 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 23 words

In the method according to claim 50 wherein two or more elements from said first group are contained in said aluminous metal stock.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 50 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 128 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminum alloy stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminum alloy stock comprising more than 50% aluminum and including (a) 0.1 to 5% each of one or more of the elements from the first group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20% if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from first said group also being present, and (b) one or more from the second group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 128 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminum alloy stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminum alloy stock comprising more than 50% aluminum and including (a) 0.1 to 5% each of one or more of the elements from the first group of scandium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, lutetium, and terbium, the grand total of said elements not exceeding 20% if scandium is present one or more of the other elements from first said group also being present, and (b) one or more from the second group of 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 14 words

The article according to claim 55 wherein said alloy contains 0.1 to 5% Li.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 55 which contains 0.01 to 3% gadolinium.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 55 which contains 0.01 to 2.5% yttrium.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 13 words

The superplastically formed article of claim 55 which contains 0.01 to 3.5% holmium.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 55 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 97 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising (a) aluminum; (b) 0.01 to 1% scandium; (c) one or more of the elements from the group of 0.01 to 2.5% yttrium, 0.01 to 3% gadolinium and 0.01 to 3.5% holmium; and (d) one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 97 words

In a method of superplastic forming comprising superplastically forming aluminous metal stock at superplastic forming temperature, the improvement comprising providing said aluminous stock comprising (a) aluminum; (b) 0.01 to 1% scandium; (c) one or more of the elements from the group of 0.01 to 2.5% yttrium, 0.01 to 3% gadolinium and 0.01 to 3.5% holmium; and (d) one or more of the following elements: 0.1 to 20% Mg, 0.1 to 5% Si, 0.1 to 10% Ag, 0.1 to 10% Cu, 0.1 to 5% Ge, 0.1 to 7% Li, 0.1 to 49% Zn and up to 0.3% Zr.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 61 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 2.5% yttrium.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 61 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 3% gadolinium.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 61 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 3.5% holmium.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 16 words

In the method according to claim 61 wherein said aluminous stock contains 0.01 to 5% lithium.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 13 words

In the method according to claim 61 wherein said stock is substantially unrecrystallized.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-10-16	1993-04-17	1993-10-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-10-16	1997-04-17	1997-10-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-10-16	2001-04-17	2001-10-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Superplastic aluminum products and alloys

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