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US4973522A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Aluminum alloy composites

Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-06-02
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2008-06-02
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Abstract

Abstract A metal matrix composite may be produced by atomizing a stream of molten aluminum-lithium alloy to form a spray of hot metal particles by subjecting the stream to relatively cold gas directed at the stream, applying to the stream or spray fine solid particles of reinforcement e.g. silicon carbide, and depositing the metal having the fine particles incorporated therein. The resulting composite has the following properties in an extruded and age hardened state: 0.2% Proof strength - at least 400 MPa Tensile strength - at least 440 MPa Elongation - at least 2.0% Modulus of elasticity - at least 85 GPa Density - maximum 2.75 Mg/m 3 .

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard M. Jordan
  • 👤 John White
  • 👤 Treve C. Willis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 04:15
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C32/00; C22C32/0047; C22C32/0052; C22C32/0063; B; B22; B22D; B22D23/00; B22D23/003; C22C1/00; C22C1/04; C22C1/0408; C22C1/0416; C22C1/10; C22C1/1005; C22C1/101; C22C1/1036; C22C1/1042; C22C21/00; C22C21/12; C22C21/16; C22C32/0057; C23; C23C; C23C4/00; C23C4/12; C23C4/123; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12486

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 77 words
A metal matrix composite produced by spray deposition comprising an Al-Li alloy matrix and a reinforcement and having the following properties in an extruded and T6 age hardened state: 0.2% Proof strength--at least 400 MPa Tensile strength--at least 440 MPa Elongation--at least 2.0% Modulus of elasticity--at least 85 GPa Density--maximum 2.75 Mg/m 3 wherein the alloy matrix contains one or more of copper from 1.0% to 5.0% by weight; and zirconium from 0.04% to 0.20% by weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 77 words
A metal matrix composite produced by spray deposition comprising an Al-Li alloy matrix and a reinforcement and having the following properties in an extruded and T6 age hardened state: 0.2% Proof strength--at least 400 MPa Tensile strength--at least 440 MPa Elongation--at least 2.0% Modulus of elasticity--at least 85 GPa Density--maximum 2.75 Mg/m 3 wherein the alloy matrix contains one or more of copper from 1.0% to 5.0% by weight; and zirconium from 0.04% to 0.20% by weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, containing from 5 to 30% by volume of the reinforcement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is in the form of particles having a mean diameter in the range 5 to 40 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is silicon carbide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is boron carbide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lithium content of the metal matrix is from 1% to 3% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 65 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, produced by a method comprising the steps of atomising a stream of the molten Al-Li alloy to form a spray of hot metal particles by subjecting the stream to relatively cold gas directed at the stream, applying to the stream or spray fine solid particles of the reinforcement, and depositing the metal having said fine particles incorporated therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A composite as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Al-Li alloy matrix contains up to 0.5% by weight silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
A composite as in claim 1, wherein the Al-Li alloy matrix further contains one or more of copper 1.9% to 2.2% by weight; magnesium from 0.5% to 1.3% by weight; and zirconium from 0.04% to 0.16% by weight.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4012204A Cited
GB1506476A Cited
US4053011A Cited
JPS60194039A Cited
JPS60187637A Cited
US4662429A Cited
EP0295008A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-11-26 1994-05-28 1994-11-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-11-26 1998-05-28 1998-11-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-11-26 2002-05-28 2002-11-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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