RU2681090C1 - High-strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys for application as blank for plates and methods for production thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: metallurgy.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of metallurgy, in particular to aluminum alloys and their preparation, and can be used, for example, as a blank for heat exchanger plates. Aluminum alloy contains, wt. %: 0.7–3.0 Zn; 0.15–0.35 Si; 0.25–0.65 Fe; 0.05–0.20 Cu; 0.75–1.50 Mn; 0.50–1.50 Mg; up to 0.10 Cr; up to 0.10 Ti; up to 0.15 impurities and the rest of Al.EFFECT: invention is directed to the production of aluminum alloys with high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and ability to form.18 cl, 2 ex, 11 tbl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present description relates to the field of materials science, chemistry of materials, metallurgy, aluminum alloys, the manufacture of aluminum and related fields. More specifically, the present description provides new aluminum alloys that can be used in various applications, including, for example, as a blank for heat exchanger plates.

BACKGROUND

Heat exchangers are widely used in many applications, including, without limitation, heating and cooling systems in various industrial and chemical processes. Many such configurations use plates that are in heat-conducting contact with the outer surface of the pipes, providing an increased surface area through which heat transfer between liquids can occur. In addition, the plates are used to control the flow of liquids through a heat exchanger. However, aluminum alloy heat exchangers are relatively susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion ultimately leads to loss of refrigerant from the pipes and failure of the heating or cooling system. To improve product performance, high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloys are needed. However, the identification of alloy compositions and technological conditions that ensure the receipt of such an alloy designed to solve these problems is problematic.

The heat exchanger tubes can be made of copper or aluminum alloy, and the heat exchanger plates can be made of another aluminum alloy (for example, AA1100 or AA7072). The plates can be attached to copper or aluminum pipes and mounted mechanically. Larger heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC & R) systems may require longer plates, and it is important that they have sufficient strength for subsequent processing (e.g. transport and / or spiral bending). One way to maintain the strength of the plates is to provide plates of a greater thickness; however, this can lead to an increase in cost and mass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The envisaged embodiments of the present invention are defined by the claims, and not the stated essence. The presented summary of the invention is a general overview of various aspects of the present invention and introduces some concepts that are further described below in the section "Implementation of the invention". The stated essence of the invention is not intended to determine the key or essential features of the claimed subject matter of the invention, nor is it intended to be used in isolation from the rest of the description to determine the boundaries of the scope of the claimed subject matter. The object of the invention should be understood with reference to the corresponding fragments of the full description, any or all of the drawings and each claim.

This document proposes new aluminum alloys that exhibit high strength and corrosion resistance. The aluminum alloys described herein contain about 0.7-3.0 mass. % Zn, about 0.15-0.35 mass. % Si, about 0.25-0.65 mass. % Fe, about 0.05-0.20 mass. % Cu, about 0.75-1.50 mass. % Mn, about 0.50-1.50 mass. % Mg, up to about 0.05 mass. % Cr, up to about 0.05 mass. % Ti and up to about 0.15 mass. % impurities, and the rest is Al. In some examples, the aluminum alloy contains about 1.0-2.5 mass. % Zn, about 0.2-0.35 wt. % Si, about 0.35-0.60 mass. % Fe, about 0.10-0.20 mass. % Cu, about 0.75-1.25 mass. % Mn, about 0.90-1.30 mass. % Mg, up to about 0.05 mass. % Cr, up to about 0.05 mass. % Ti and up to about 0.15 mass. % impurities, and the rest is Al. In some examples, the aluminum alloy contains about 1.5-2.5 mass. % Zn, about 0.17-0.33 mass. % Si, about 0.30-0.55 mass. % Fe, about 0.15-0.20 mass. % Cu, about 0.80-1.00 wt. % Mn, about 1.00-1.25 mass. % Mg, up to about 0.05 mass. % Cr, up to about 0.05 mass. % Ti and up to about 0.15 mass. % impurities, and the rest is Al. Optionally, the aluminum alloy contains about 0.9-2.6 mass. % Zn, about 0.2-0.33 mass. % Si, about 0.49-0.6 mass. % Fe, about 0.15-0.19 mass. % Cu, about 0.79-0.94 mass. % Mn, about 1.13-1.27 mass. % Mg, up to about 0.05 mass. % Cr, up to about 0.05 mass. % Ti and up to about 0.15 mass. % impurities, and the rest is Al. Optionally, the aluminum alloy contains about 1.4-1.6 mass. % Zn, about 0.2-0.33 mass. % Si, about 0.49-0.6 mass. % Fe, about 0.15-0.19 mass. % Cu, about 0.79-0.94 mass. % Mn, about 1.13-1.27 mass. % Mg, up to about 0.05 mass. % Cr, up to about 0.05 mass. % Ti and up to about 0.15 mass. % impurities, and the rest is Al. The alloy can be obtained by casting (for example, direct chill casting or continuous casting), homogenization, hot rolling, cold rolling and / or annealing. The alloy may be in state H or in state O.

The yield strength of the alloy is at least about 70 MPa. The tensile strength of the alloy can be at least about 170 MPa. An aluminum alloy may have an electrical conductivity of more than about 37% relative to the International Standard for Annealed Copper (IACS). Optionally, the aluminum alloy has a corrosion potential of from about −740 mV to −850 mV.

Also provided herein are products containing the aluminum alloy described herein. Products may include blanks for plates. Optionally, the thickness of the plate blank is 1.0 mm or less (for example, 0.15 mm or less). The present document further provides articles comprising a pipe and a plate, the plate containing a blank for the plate described herein.

The present document further provides methods for manufacturing a metal product. These methods include the steps of casting an aluminum alloy described herein to produce a cast aluminum alloy, homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy, hot rolling the cast aluminum alloy to produce a rolling product, and cold rolling the rolling product to a final size product. Optionally, these methods further include the step of annealing the final size product. Also provided herein are products (e.g., heat exchanger plates) made in accordance with these methods.

Additional aspects, objectives, and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description of the following non-limiting examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1 is a digital photograph of the illustrative alloys described herein, taken together with the comparative alloy described herein, and subjected to corrosion testing at various time intervals.

In FIG. 2 is a digital photograph of the illustrative alloys described herein, taken together with the comparative alloy described herein, and subjected to corrosion testing at various time intervals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This document describes high-strength, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys and methods for their manufacture and processing. The aluminum alloys described herein exhibit improved mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and / or molding ability. The alloys proposed herein contain a zinc component and can be particularly suitable as a sacrificial alloy (for example, as a blank material for plates for use in combination with copper or aluminum alloy pipes in heat exchangers). The described alloy composition provides a material having mechanical strength as well as sacrificial alloy characteristics. The alloy material can be formed into a blank for plates and mechanically attached to a pipe made of copper or aluminum alloy. The workpiece for the plates can corrode, providing tread protection of the pipe made of copper or aluminum alloy from corrosion. In addition, the blank for aluminum alloy plates described herein has excellent mechanical strength, making it possible to manufacture a thinner blank for aluminum alloy plates. Alloys can be used as blanks for plates in industrial applications, including heat exchangers, or in other applications. In a heat exchanger, such alloys serve as a sacrificial component to protect other components of the heat exchanger (for example, a pipe to which such an alloy is attached).

Definitions and notation:

The terms "invention", "this invention", "this invention" and "the present invention" in this context are intended to broadly refer to the entire subject of this patent application and the claims below. Statements containing these terms are not to be understood as limiting the subject matter of the invention described herein, or as limiting the meaning or scope of the scope of the claims presented below.

In the present description, reference is made to alloys indicated by symbols adopted in the aluminum industry, such as “series” or “1xxx”. For an understanding of the digital notation system most commonly used for naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, see International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys or Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ”published by the Aluminum Industry Association.

In this context, the meaning of the terms in the singular includes a reference to the singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this context, the plate typically has a thickness of more than about 15 mm. For example, a plate may refer to an aluminum product having a thickness of more than about 15 mm, more than about 20 mm, more than about 25 mm, more than about 30 mm, more than about 35 mm, more than about 40 mm, more than about 45 mm, more than about 50 mm, or more than about 100 mm.

In this context, a sheet plate typically has a thickness of from about 4 mm to about 15 mm. For example, a sheet plate may have a thickness of about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm or about 15 mm.

In this context, a sheet generally refers to an aluminum product having a thickness of less than about 4 mm. For example, the sheet may have a thickness of less than about 4 mm, less than about 3 mm, less than about 2 mm, less than about 1 mm, less than about 0.5 mm, less than about 0.3 mm, or less than about 0 , 1 mm.

In this application, reference is made to the condition or nature of the alloy. For an understanding of the state of the alloy most commonly used, see American National Standards (ANSI) H35 on Alloy and Temper Designation Systems. The nature or condition of F refers to an aluminum alloy without further processing. The character or condition O refers to the aluminum alloy after annealing. The nature or condition of Hxx, also referred to herein as condition H, refers to an aluminum alloy after cold rolling with or without heat treatment (e.g., annealing). Suitable H states include HX1, HX2, HX3, HX4, HX5, HX6, HX7, HX8, or HX9 states. For example, an aluminum alloy can only be cold rolled to give a possible state of H19. In a further example, the aluminum alloy may be cold rolled and annealed to give a possible state of H23.

The following aluminum alloys are described in terms of their elemental composition in mass percent (mass%) of the total mass of the alloy. In specific examples of each alloy, the rest of the alloy is aluminum, and the sum of impurities is a maximum of 0.15 mass. %

In this context, "electrochemical potential" refers to the ability of a material to participate in a redox reaction. The electrochemical potential can be used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloys described herein. A negative value may describe a material that is easier to oxidize (for example, loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state) than a material with a positive electrochemical potential. A positive value may describe a material that is more readily reduced (for example, by attaching electrons or lowering the oxidation state) than a material with a negative electrochemical potential. The electrochemical potential in this context is a vector quantity expressing a quantitative value and direction.

In this context, the value of "room temperature" may include a temperature of from about 15 ° C to about 30 ° C, for example, about 15 ° C, about 16 ° C, about 17 ° C, about 18 ° C, about 19 ° C, about 20 ° C, approximately 21 ° C, approximately 22 ° C, approximately 23 ° C, approximately 24 ° C, approximately 25 ° C, approximately 26 ° C, approximately 27 ° C, approximately 28 ° C, approximately 29 ° C, or approximately 30 ° C. It should be understood that all ranges described herein include any and all subranges included therein. For example, a specified range of “1 to 10” should be understood as including any and all subranges between (and including) a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 0; that is, all ranges starting with a minimum value of 1 or more, for example, from 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, for example, from 5.5 to 10.

Alloy Compositions

New aluminum alloys are described below. In some aspects, the alloys exhibit high strength, corrosion resistance, and / or high molding ability. Such properties of alloys are achievable due to the elemental composition of the alloys, as well as methods for processing alloys to obtain the described sheets, plates and sheet plates. In particular, the increased content of zinc (Zn) provides alloys that preferably corrode when attached to pipes made of copper alloy or other aluminum alloy, providing cathodic protection of the pipes. It was unexpectedly discovered that the addition of Zn leads to additional hardening of the material, in addition to the hardening effect due to the increased content of magnesium (Mg). In addition, it was found the optimal content of Zn. In some examples, the addition of Zn in an amount of more than about 2.0 mass. % is undesirable since such amounts can adversely affect the conductivity and rate of intrinsic corrosion. However, in some examples, it may be necessary to sacrifice conductivity and corrosion properties to provide sufficient cathodic protection for the pipe. For this, a maximum Zn content of up to about 3.0 masses can be used. % to provide the required properties of corrosion, conductivity and strength.

The alloys and methods described herein can be used in industrial applications, including materials for sacrificial elements, heat dissipation, packaging and building materials. The alloys described herein can be used as industrial blanks for heat exchanger plates. An industrial plate blank can be made to be more resistant to corrosion than currently used industrial alloys for plate blanks (e.g. AA7072 and AA1100), but it is still preferably corroded, protecting other metal parts included in composition of the heat exchanger.

In some examples, the alloys may have the following elemental composition shown in table 1.

Table 1

Element Mass percent (wt.%) Zn 0.7-3.0 Si 0.15-0.35 Fe 0.25-0.65 Cu 0.05-0.20 Mn 0.75-1.50 Mg 0.50-1.50 Cr 0.00-0.10 Ti 0.00-0.10 Other 0-0.05 (each)
0-0.15 (total) Al Rest

In some examples, the alloys may have the following elemental composition shown in table 2.

table 2

Element Mass percent (wt.%) Zn 1.0-2.5 Si 0.2-0.35 Fe 0.35-0.60 Cu 0.10-0.20 Mn 0.75-1.25 Mg 0.90-1.30 Cr 0.00-0.05 Ti 0.00-0.05 Other 0-0.05 (each)
0-0.15 (total) Al Rest

In some examples, the alloys may have the following elemental composition shown in table 3.

Table 3

Element Mass percent (wt.%) Zn 1.5-2.5 Si 0.17-0.33 Fe 0.30-0.55 Cu 0.15-0.20 Mn 0.80-1.00 Mg 1.00-1.25 Cr 0.00-0.05 Ti 0.00-0.05 Other 0-0.05 (each)
0-0.15 (total) Al Rest

In some examples, the alloys may have the following elemental composition shown in table 4.

Table 4

Element Mass percent (wt.%) Zn 0.9-2.6 Si 0.2-0.33 Fe 0.49-0.6 Cu 0.15-0.19 Mn 0.79-0.94 Mg 1.13-1.27 Cr 0.00-0.05 Ti 0.00-0.05 Other 0-0.05 (each)
0-0.15 (total) Al Rest

In some examples, the alloy contains zinc (Zn) in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 3.0% (e.g., from about 1.0% to about 2.5%, from about 1.5% to about 3.0 %, from about 0.9% to about 2.6%, or from about 1.4% to about 1.6%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.7%, about 0.71%, about 0.72%, about 0.73%, about 0.74%, about 0.75%, about 0.76%, about 0, 77%, approximately 0.78%, approximately 0.79%, approximately 0.8%, approximately 0.81%, approximately 0.82%, approximately 0.83%, approximately 0.84%, approximately 0.85% approximately 0.86%, approximately 0.87%, approximately 0.88%, approximately 0.89%, approximately 0.9%, approximately 0.91%, approximately 0.92%, approximately 0.93%, approximately 0.94%, approximately 0.95%, approximately 0.96%, approximately 0.97%, approximately 0.98%, approximately 0.99%, approximately 1.0%, approximately 1.01%, approximately 1, 02%, about 1.03%, about 1.04%, about 1.05%, about 1.06%, about 1.07%, about 1.08%, approx 1.09%, about 1.1%, about 1.11%, about 1.12%, about 1.13%, about 1.14%, about 1.15%, about 1.16%, about 1 , 17%, approximately 1.18%, approximately 1.19%, approximately 1.2%, approximately 1.21%, approximately 1.22%, approximately 1.23%, approximately 1.24%, approximately 1.25 %, about 1.26%, about 1.27%, about 1.28%, about 1.29%, about 1.3%, about 1.31%, about 1.32%, about 1.33%, approximately 1.34%, approximately 1.35%, approximately 1.36%, approximately 1.37%, approximately 1.38%, approximately 1.39%, approximately 1.4%, approximately 1.41%, approximately 1 42%, approximately 1.43%, approximately 1.44%, approximately 1.45%, approximately 1.46%, approximately 1.47%, approximately 1.48%, approximately 1.49%, approximately 1.5 %, at approximately 1.51%, approximately 1.52%, approximately 1.53%, approximately 1.54%, approximately 1.55%, approximately 1.56%, approximately 1.57%, approximately 1.58%, approximately 1 , 59%, approximately 1.6%, approximately 1.61%, approximately 1.62%, approximately 1.63%, approximately 1.64%, approximately 1.65%, approximately 1.66%, approximately 1.67 %, about 1.68%, about 1.69%, about 1.7%, about 1.71%, about 1.72%, about 1.73%, about 1.74%, about 1.75%, approximately 1.76%, approximately 1.77%, approximately 1.78%, approximately 1.79%, approximately 1.8%, approximately 1.81%, approximately 1.82%, approximately 1.83%, approximately 1 , 84%, approximately 1.85%, approximately 1.86%, approximately 1.87%, approximately 1.88%, approximately 1.89%, approximately 1.9%, approximately 1.91%, approximately 1.92 %, P approximately 1.93%, approximately 1.94%, approximately 1.95%, approximately 1.96%, approximately 1.97%, approximately 1.98%, approximately 1.99%, approximately 2.0%, approximately 2 , 01%, approximately 2.02%, approximately 2.03%, approximately 2.04%, approximately 2.05%, approximately 2.06%, approximately 2.07%, approximately 2.08%, approximately 2.09 %, about 2.1%, about 2.11%, about 2.12%, about 2.13%, about 2.14%, about 2.15%, about 2.16%, about 2.17%, approximately 2.18%, approximately 2.19%, approximately 2.2%, approximately 2.21%, approximately 2.22%, approximately 2.23%, approximately 2.24%, approximately 2.25%, approximately 2 , 26%, approximately 2.27%, approximately 2.28%, approximately 2.29%, approximately 2.3%, approximately 2.31%, approximately 2.32%, approximately 2.33%, approximately 2.34 % approximately 2.35%, approximately 2.36%, approximately 2.37%, approximately 2.38%, approximately 2.39%, approximately 2.4%, approximately 2.41%, approximately 2.42%, approximately 2.43%, approximately 2.44%, approximately 2.45%, approximately 2.46%, approximately 2.47%, approximately 2.48%, approximately 2.49%, approximately 2.5%, 2.51 %, about 2.52%, about 2.53%, about 2.54%, about 2.55%, about 2.56%, about 2.57%, about 2.58%, about 2.59%, approximately 2.6%, approximately 2.61%, approximately 2.62%, approximately 2.63%, approximately 2.64%, approximately 2.65%, approximately 2.66%, approximately 2.67%, approximately 2 68%, approximately 2.69%, approximately 2.7%, approximately 2.71%, approximately 2.72%, approximately 2.73%, approximately 2.74%, approximately 2.75%, approximately 2.76 %, note but 2.77%, approximately 2.78%, approximately 2.79%, approximately 2.8%, approximately 2.81%, approximately 2.82%, approximately 2.83%, approximately 2.84%, approximately 2 , 85%, approximately 2.86%, approximately 2.87%, approximately 2.88%, approximately 2.89%, approximately 2.9%, approximately 2.91%, approximately 2.92%, approximately 2.93 %, about 2.94%, about 2.95%, about 2.96%, about 2.97%, about 2.98%, about 2.99%, or about 3.0% Zn. All percentages are expressed in mass. % Zinc content can improve the corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloys described herein. In particular, when zinc is introduced in an amount described herein, for example, from 1.0% to 2.6%, the alloys exhibit improved corrosion resistance compared to plate blanks commonly used in industrial processes (e.g., 1xxx series alloys and 7xxx series). In some additional examples, Zn can reduce corrosion resistance when introduced in mass percent in excess of the indicated values. In further examples, Zn may be incorporated into the aluminum alloy in the optimum amount described herein to provide an alloy suitable for use as an industrial plate. For example, when the Zn content is higher than indicated herein, alloys for use as plates can corrode faster than plates containing the described amount of Zn, resulting in perforation of the plate. As a result, the mechanical integrity and thermal characteristics of the heat exchanger can deteriorate, which reduces the life of the heat exchanger.

In some examples, the described alloy contains silicon (Si) in an amount of from about 0.15% to about 0.35% (for example, from about 0.20% to about 0.35%, from about 0.17% to about 0, 33% or from about 0.20% to about 0.33%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.15%, about 0.16%, about 0.17%, about 0.18%, about 0.19%, about 0.2%, about 0.21%, about 0, 22%, approximately 0.23%, approximately 0.24%, approximately 0.25%, approximately 0.26%, approximately 0.27%, approximately 0.28%, approximately 0.29%, approximately 0.30% about 0.31%, about 0.32%, about 0.33%, about 0.34%, or about 0.35% Si. All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the alloy also contains iron (Fe) in an amount of from about 0.25% to about 0.65% (e.g., from 0.35% to 0.60%, from 0.30% to 0.55%, or 0.49% to 0.6%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.25%, about 0.26%, about 0.27%, about 0.28%, about 0.29%, about 0.3%, about 0.31%, about 0, 32%, approximately 0.33%, approximately 0.34%, approximately 0.35%, approximately 0.36%, approximately 0.37%, approximately 0.38%, approximately 0.39%, approximately 0.4% approximately 0.41%, approximately 0.42%, approximately 0.43%, approximately 0.44%, approximately 0.45%, approximately 0.46%, approximately 0.47%, approximately 0.48%, approximately 0.49%, about 0.5%, about 0.51%, about 0.52%, about 0.53%, about 0.54%, about 0.55%, about 0.56%, about 0, 57%, about 0.58%, about 0.59%, about 0.6%, about 0.61%, about 0.62%, about 0.63%, approx angles to 0.64%, or about 0,65% Fe. All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the described alloy contains copper (Cu) in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 0.20% (e.g., from about 0.10% to about 0.20%, from about 0.15% to about 0, 20% or from about 0.15% to about 0.19%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, about 0.1%, about 0.11%, about 0, 12%, about 0.13%, about 0.14%, about 0.15%, about 0.16%, about 0.17%, about 0.18%, about 0.19%, or about 0.2% Cu. All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the alloy may contain manganese (Mn) in an amount of from about 0.75% to about 1.5% (e.g., from about 0.75% to about 1.25%, from about 0.80% to about 1, 00% or from about 0.79% to about 0.94%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.75%, about 0.76%, about 0.77%, about 0.78%, about 0.79%, about 0.8%, about 0.81%, about 0, 82%, approximately 0.83%, approximately 0.84%, approximately 0.85%, approximately 0.86%, approximately 0.87%, approximately 0.88%, approximately 0.89%, approximately 0.9% , approximately 0.91%, approximately 0.92%, approximately 0.93%, approximately 0.94%, approximately 0.95%, approximately 0.96%, approximately 0.97%, approximately 0.98%, approximately 0.99%, about 1.0%, about 1.01%, about 1.02%, about 1.03%, about 1.04%, about 1.05%, about 1.06%, about 1, 07%, approximately 1.08%, approximately 1.09%, approximately 1.1%, approximately 1.11%, approximately 1.12%, approximately 1.13%, approx 1.14%, about 1.15%, about 1.16%, about 1.17%, about 1.18%, about 1.19%, about 1.2%, about 1.21%, about 1 , 22%, approximately 1.23%, approximately 1.24%, approximately 1.25%, approximately 1.26%, approximately 1.27%, approximately 1.28%, approximately 1.29%, approximately 1.3 %, about 1.31%, about 1.32%, about 1.33%, about 1.34%, about 1.35%, about 1.36%, about 1.37%, about 1.38%, approximately 1.39%, approximately 1.4%, approximately 1.41%, approximately 1.42%, approximately 1.43%, approximately 1.44%, approximately 1.45%, approximately 1.46%, approximately 1 47%, about 1.48%, about 1.49%, or 1.5% Mn. All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the alloy may contain magnesium (Mg) in an amount of from about 0.50% to about 1.50% (e.g., from about 0.90% to about 1.30%, from about 1.00% to about 1, 25% or from about 1.13% to about 1.27%) relative to the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain about 0.5%, about 0.51%, about 0.52%, about 0.53%, about 0.54%, about 0.55%, about 0.56%, about 0, 57%, approximately 0.58%, approximately 0.59%, approximately 0.6%, approximately 0.61%, approximately 0.62%, approximately 0.63%, approximately 0.64%, approximately 0.65% approximately 0.66%, approximately 0.67%, approximately 0.68%, approximately 0.69%, approximately 0.7%, approximately 0.71%, approximately 0.72%, approximately 0.73%, approximately 0.74%, about 0.75%, about 0.76%, about 0.77%, about 0.78%, about 0.79%, about 0.8%, about 0.81%, about 0, 82%, about 0.83%, about 0.84%, about 0.85%, about 0.86%, about 0.87%, about 0.88%, approx 0.89%, about 0.9%, about 0.91%, about 0.92%, about 0.93%, about 0.94%, about 0.95%, about 0.96%, about 0 , 97%, approximately 0.98%, approximately 0.99%, approximately 1.0%, approximately 1.01%, approximately 1.02%, approximately 1.03%, approximately 1.04%, approximately 1.05 %, about 1.06%, about 1.07%, about 1.08%, about 1.09%, about 1.1%, about 1.11%, about 1.12%, about 1.13%, approximately 1.14%, approximately 1.15%, approximately 1.16%, approximately 1.17%, approximately 1.18%, approximately 1.19%, approximately 1.2%, approximately 1.21%, approximately 1 , 22%, approximately 1.23%, approximately 1.24%, approximately 1.25%, approximately 1.26%, approximately 1.27%, approximately 1.28%, approximately 1.29%, approximately 1.3 %, at approximately 1.31%, approximately 1.32%, approximately 1.33%, approximately 1.34%, approximately 1.35%, approximately 1.36%, approximately 1.37%, approximately 1.38%, approximately 1 , 39%, approximately 1.4%, approximately 1.41%, approximately 1.42%, approximately 1.43%, approximately 1.44%, approximately 1.45%, approximately 1.46%, approximately 1.47 %, about 1.48%, about 1.49%, or 1.5% Mg. All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the alloy contains chromium (Cr) in an amount of up to about 0.10% (e.g., from 0% to about 0.05%, from about 0.001% to about 0.04%, or from about 0.01% to about 0 , 03%) relative to the total mass of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain approximately 0.001%, approximately 0.002%, approximately 0.003%, approximately 0.004%, approximately 0.005%, approximately 0.006%, approximately 0.007%, approximately 0.008%, approximately 0.009%, approximately 0.01%, approximately 0, 02%, about 0.03%, about 0.04%, about 0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, or about 0.1% Cr. In some cases, Cr is absent in the alloy (i.e., 0%). All percentages are expressed in mass. %

In some examples, the alloy contains titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.10% (e.g., from 0% to about 0.05%, from about 0.001% to about 0.04%, or from about 0.01% to about 0 , 03%) relative to the total mass of the alloy. For example, the alloy may contain approximately 0.001%, approximately 0.002%, approximately 0.003%, approximately 0.004%, approximately 0.005%, approximately 0.006%, approximately 0.007%, approximately 0.008%, approximately 0.009%, approximately 0.01%, approximately 0, 02%, about 0.03%, about 0.04%, about 0.05%, about 0.06%, about 0.07%, about 0.08%, about 0.09%, or about 0.1% Ti. In some cases, Ti is absent in the alloy (i.e., 0%). All percentages are expressed in mass. %

If necessary, the composition of the alloys may additionally include other minor elements, sometimes referred to as impurities, each in an amount of about 0.05% or less, 0.04% or less, 0.03% or less, 0.02% or less, or 0.01% or less. These impurities may include, but are not limited to, Ga, V, Ni, Sc, Ag, B, Bi, Zr, Li, Pb, Sn, Ca, Hf, Sr, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, Ga, V, Ni, Sc, Ag, B, Bi, Zr, Li, Pb, Sn, Ca, Hf or Sr may be present in the alloy in an amount of 0.05% or less, 0.04% or less, 0 03% or less, 0.02% or less, or 0.01% or less. In some aspects, the sum of all impurities does not exceed 0.15% (e.g., 0.1%). All percentages are expressed in mass. % In some aspects, the remaining percentage of the alloy is aluminum.

Optionally, the illustrative aluminum alloys described herein contain about 0.9-2.6% Zn (e.g., about 1.4-1.6% Zn), about 0.2-0.33% Si, about 0 , 49-0.6% Fe, about 0.15-0.19% Cu, about 0.79-0.94% Mn, about 1.13-1.27% Mg, up to about 0.05% Cr, up to about 0.05% Ti and up to about 0.15% impurities, and the rest is Al. For example, an illustrative alloy contains 1.53% Zn, 0.3% Si, 0.51% Fe, 0.17% Cu, 0.87% Mn, 1.21% Mg, 0.001% Cr, 0.016% Ti and up to 0.15% of the amount of impurities, and the rest is Al. In some examples, the illustrative alloy contains 1.00% Zn, 0.29% Si, 0.51% Fe, 0.16% Cu, 0.86% Mn, 1.2% Mg, 0.001% Cr, 0.011% Ti, and up to 0.15% of the amount of impurities, and the rest is Al. In some examples, the illustrative alloy contains 2.04% Zn, 0.29% Si, 0.51% Fe, 0.17% Cu, 0.87% Mn, 1.21% Mg, 0.001% Cr, 0.015% Ti and up to 0.15% of the amount of impurities, and the rest is Al. In some examples, the illustrative alloy contains 2.54% Zn, 0.29% Si, 0.51% Fe, 0.17% Cu, 0.88% Mn, 1.23% Mg, 0.001% Cr, 0.012% Ti and up to 0.15% of the amount of impurities, and the rest is Al.

Alloy properties

The mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy can be controlled by various technological conditions, depending on the desired application. The alloy can be obtained (or manufactured) in state H (for example, states HX1, HX2, HX3, HX4, HX5, HX6, HX7, HX8 or HX9). In one example, the alloy can be obtained (or manufactured) in state H19. Condition H19 refers to a product obtained by cold rolling. As another example, the alloy can be obtained (or manufactured) in the state of H23. Condition H23 refers to a product obtained by cold rolling and partial annealing. As an additional example, the alloy can be obtained (or manufactured) in state O. State O refers to the product obtained by cold rolling and complete annealing.

In some non-limiting examples, the described alloys have high strength in states H (for example, state H19 and state H23) and high molding ability (i.e. bendability) in state O. In some non-limiting examples, the described alloys have good corrosion resistance in states H (for example, state H19 and state H23) and state O, compared to conventional 7xxx and 1xxx series aluminum alloys used as industrial blanks for plates.

In some aspects, aluminum alloys have a yield strength (YS) of at least about 70 MPa. In non-limiting examples, the yield strength is at least about 70 MPa, at least about 80 MPa, at least about 90 MPa, at least about 100 MPa, at least about 110 MPa, at least about 120 MPa, at least at least about 130 MPa, at least about 140 MPa, at least about 150 MPa, at least about 160 MPa, at least about 170 MPa, at least about 180 MPa, at least about 190 MPa, at least about 200 MPa, at least about 210 MPa, at least about 220 MPa, at least about 230 MPa, at least about 240 MPa, at least about 250 MPa, at least about 260 MPa, at least about 270 MPa, at least about 280 MPa, at least about 290 MPa, at least about 300 MPa, at least about 310 MPa, at least about 320 MPa, at least about 330 MPa, at least about 340 MPa, at least about 350 MPa, or any value between them . In some cases, the yield strength is from about 70 MPa to about 350 MPa. For example, the yield strength may be from about 80 MPa to about 340 MPa, from about 90 MPa to about 320 MPa, from about 100 MPa to about 300 MPa, from about 180 MPa to about 300 MPa, or from about 200 MPa to about 300 MPa .

The yield strength varies depending on the state of the alloy. In some examples, the alloys described herein represented in state O may have a yield strength of at least about 70 MPa to about 200 MPa. In non-limiting examples, the yield strength of alloys in state O is at least about 70 MPa, at least about 80 MPa, at least about 90 MPa, at least about 100 MPa, at least about 110 MPa, at least about 120 MPa, at least about 130 MPa, at least about 140 MPa, at least about 150 MPa, at least about 160 MPa, at least about 170 MPa, at least about 180 MPa, at least about 190 MPa at least about 200 MPa or any value between them.

In some further examples, the alloys described herein in state H may have a yield strength of at least about 200 MPa, at least about 210 MPa, at least about 220 MPa, at least about 230 MPa, at least about 240 MPa, at least about 250 MPa, at least about 260 MPa, at least about 270 MPa, at least about 280 MPa, at least about 290 MPa, at least about 300 MPa, at least about 310 MPa, at least about 320 MPa, at least e about 330 MPa, at least about 340 MPa, at least about 350 MPa, or any value therebetween.

In some aspects, aluminum alloys may have a tensile strength (UTS) of at least about 170 MPa. In non-limiting examples, the UTS is at least about 170 MPa, at least about 180 MPa, at least about 190 MPa, at least about 200 MPa, at least about 210 MPa, at least about 220 MPa, at least about 230 MPa, at least about 240 MPa, at least about 250 MPa, at least about 260 MPa, at least about 270 MPa, at least about 280 MPa, at least about 290 MPa, at least about 300 MPa, at least about 310 MPa, at least about 320 M Pa, at least about 330 MPa, at least about 340 MPa, at least about 350 MPa, or any value between them. In some cases, the UTS is from about 200 MPa to about 320 MPa. For example, UTS may be from about 200 MPa to about 320 MPa, from about 190 MPa to about 290 MPa, from about 300 MPa to about 350 MPa, from about 180 MPa to about 340 MPa, or from about 175 MPa to about 325 MPa.

In some examples, the alloys described herein represented in the O state may have a UTS of at least about 170 MPa to about 250 MPa. In non-limiting examples, UTS alloys in the O state are at least about 170 MPa, at least about 180 MPa, at least about 190 MPa, at least about 200 MPa, at least about 210 MPa, at least about 220 MPa at least about 230 MPa, at least about 240 MPa, at least about 250 MPa, or any value between them.

In some further examples, alloys described herein in state H may have a UTS of at least about 200 MPa, at least about 210 MPa, at least about 220 MPa, at least about 230 MPa, at least about 240 MPa, at least about 250 MPa, at least about 260 MPa, at least about 270 MPa, at least about 280 MPa, at least about 290 MPa, at least about 300 MPa, at least about 310 MPa at least about 320 MPa, at least about 330 M and at least about 340 MPa, at least about 350 MPa, or any value therebetween.

In some aspects, the alloy has any yield strength that is characterized by sufficient molding ability to provide an elongation of about 9.75% or more in the O state (for example, about 10.0% or more). In some examples, the elongation may be about 9.75% or more, about 10.0% or more, about 10.25% or more, about 10.5% or more, about 10.75% or more, about 11.0 % or more, about 11.25% or more, about 11.5% or more, about 11.75% or more, about 12.0% or more, about 12.25% or more, about 12.5% or more, about 12.75% or more, about 13.0% or more, about 13.25% or more, about 13.5% or more, about 13.75% or more, about 14.0% or more, about 14.25% or more, about 14.5% or more, about 14.75% or more, about 1 5.0% or more, about 15.25% or more, about 15.5% or more, about 15.75% or more, about 16.0% or more, about 16.25% or more, about 16, 5% or more or any value in between.

In some aspects, the alloy may have corrosion resistance that provides negative corrosion potential or electrochemical potential (Ecorr) of about −700 mV or less when tested in accordance with ASTM G69. In some cases, the value of the free corrosion potential relative to a standard calomel electrode (SCE) may be about -700 mV or less, about -710 mV or less, about -720 mV or less, about -730 mV or less, about -740 mV or less about -750 mV or less, about -760 mV or less, about -770 mV or less, about -780 mV or less, about -790 mV or less, about -800 mV or less, about -810 mV or less, about -820 mV or less, about -830 mV or less, about -840 mV or less, about -850 mV or less, or any Achen between them. For example, an aluminum alloy may have a free corrosion potential of from about −740 mV to about −850 mV (for example, from about −750 mV to about −840 mV, or from about −770 mV to about −830 mV).

In some examples, the alloy may have an average conductivity value of more than about 36% relative to the International Standard for Annealed Copper (IACS) (for example, from about 37% IACS to about 44% IACS). For example, the alloy may have an average conductivity of about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, or any value between them. All values are expressed in% relative to IACS.

Manufacturing and processing methods

In some aspects, the described alloy composition is a product of the described method. Without limiting the present description, the properties of an aluminum alloy are partly determined by the formation of microstructures in the alloy production process. In some aspects, a method for producing an alloy composition may affect or even determine the presence of alloy properties consistent with the intended use.

Casting

The alloy described herein can be cast using a casting method known to those skilled in the art. For example, a casting process may include a direct cooling method (Direct Chill, DC). The direct cooling casting process is carried out in accordance with the standards commonly used in the aluminum industry known to those skilled in the art. In the DC process, an ingot can be obtained. Optionally, the ingot may be cleaned before further processing. Optionally, the casting process may include a continuous casting method (Continuous Casting, CC).

Cast aluminum alloy can then be processed in the following process steps. For example, the processing methods described herein may include the steps of homogenization, hot rolling, cold rolling and / or annealing.

Homogenization

The homogenization step may include heating the cast aluminum alloy described herein to achieve a homogenization temperature of about or at least about 570 ° C (for example, at least about 570 ° C, at least about 580 ° C, at least at least about 590 ° C, at least about 600 ° C, at least about 610 ° C, or any value between them). For example, a cast aluminum alloy may be heated to a temperature of from about 570 ° C. to about 620 ° C., from about 575 ° C. to about 615 ° C., from about 585 ° C. to about 610 ° C., or from about 590 ° C. to about 605 ° C. In some cases, the rate of heating to a homogenization temperature may be about 100 ° C / hour or less, about 75 ° C / hour or less, about 50 ° C / hour or less, about 40 ° C / hour or less, about 30 ° C / hour or less, about 25 ° C / hour or less, about 20 ° C / hour or less, about 15 ° C / hour or less, or about 10 ° C / hour or less. In other cases, the rate of heating to homogenization temperature may be from about 10 ° C / min. up to about 100 ° C / min. (for example, from about 10 ° C / min. to about 90 ° C / min., from about 10 ° C / min. to about 70 ° C / min., from about 10 ° C / min. to about 60 ° C. / min., from about 20 ° C / min. to about 90 ° C / min., from about 30 ° C / min. to about 80 ° C / min., from about 40 ° C / min. to about 70 ° C / min. Or from about 50 ° C / min. To about 60 ° C / min.).

Then, the cast aluminum alloy is exposed (i.e., maintained at the indicated temperature) for a certain period of time. In accordance with one non-limiting example, the cast aluminum alloy is aged for up to 5 hours (e.g., from about 10 minutes to about 5 hours, inclusive). For example, a cast aluminum alloy can be held at a temperature of at least 570 ° C for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, or for any time between the indicated values.

The cast aluminum alloy may be cooled from a first temperature to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. In some examples, the second temperature is more than about 555 ° C (for example, more than about 560 ° C, more than about 565 ° C, more than about 570 ° C, or more than about 575 ° C). For example, a cast aluminum alloy may be cooled to a second temperature of from about 555 ° C. to about 590 ° C., from about 560 ° to about 575 ° C., from about 565 ° to about 580 ° C., from about 570 ° C to about 585 ° C, from about 565 ° C to about 570 ° C, from about 570 ° C to about 590 ° C, or from about 575 ° C to about 585 ° C. The cooling rate to the second temperature may be from about 10 ° C./min. up to about 100 ° C / min. (for example, from about 20 ° C / min. to about 90 ° C / min., from about 30 ° C / min. to about 80 ° C / min., from about 10 ° C / min. to about 90 ° C. / min., from about 10 ° C / min. to about 70 ° C / min., from about 10 ° C / min. to about 60 ° C / min., from about 40 ° C / min. to about 70 ° C / min. Or from about 50 ° C / min. To about 60 ° C / min.).

The cast aluminum alloy may then be exposed to a second temperature for a certain period of time. In some cases, the ingot is aged for up to about 5 hours (for example, from 10 minutes to 5 hours, inclusive). For example, an ingot may be held at a temperature of from about 560 ° C. to about 590 ° C. for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, or for any time between those indicated values.

Hot rolling

After the homogenization step, a hot rolling step may be carried out. In some cases, the cast aluminum alloys are hot rolled at a temperature at the inlet of the hot rolling mill from about 560 ° C. to about 600 ° C. For example, the inlet temperature may be about 560 ° C, about 565 ° C, about 570 ° C, about 575 ° C, about 580 ° C, about 585 ° C, about 590 ° C, about 595 ° C, or about 600 ° FROM. In some cases, the temperature of the hot rolled outlet can be from about 290 ° C to about 350 ° C (for example, from about 310 ° C to about 340 ° C). For example, the temperature of the hot rolled outlet may be about 290 ° C, about 295 ° C, about 300 ° C, about 305 ° C, about 310 ° C, about 315 ° C, about 320 ° C, about 325 ° C, about 330 ° C, about 335 ° C, about 340 ° C, about 345 ° C, about 350 ° C, or any value between them.

In some cases, the cast aluminum alloy may be hot rolled to a thickness of from about 2 mm to about 15 mm (for example, to a thickness of from about 2.5 mm to about 12 mm). For example, a cast aluminum alloy may be hot rolled to a thickness of about 2 mm, to a thickness of about 2.5 mm, to a thickness of about 3 mm, to a thickness of about 3.5 mm, to a thickness of about 4 mm, to a thickness of about 5 mm, to a thickness of about 6 mm, to a thickness of about 7 mm, to a thickness of about 8 mm, to a thickness of about 9 mm, to a thickness of about 10 mm, to a thickness of about 11 mm, to a thickness of about 12 mm, to a thickness of about 13 mm, to a thickness about 14 mm or to a thickness of about 15 mm. In some cases, the cast aluminum alloy may be hot rolled to a thickness of more than 15 mm (i.e., in the form of a plate). In other cases, the cast aluminum alloy may be hot rolled to a thickness of less than 4 mm (i.e., in sheet form).

Cold rolling

The cold rolling step may be carried out after the hot rolling step. In some aspects, the rolling product obtained in the hot rolling step may be cold rolled to a sheet (for example, less than about 4.0 mm). In some aspects, the rolling product is cold rolled to a thickness of from about 0.4 mm to about 1.0 mm, from about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm, or from about 3.0 mm to less than about 4.0 mm . In some aspects, the alloy is cold rolled to a thickness of about 3.5 mm or less, about 3 mm or less, about 2.5 mm or less, about 2 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1 mm or less about 0.5 mm or less, about 0.4 mm or less, about 0.3 mm or less, about 0.2 mm or less, or about 0.1 mm or less. For example, the rolling product may be cold rolled to a thickness of about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0, 7 mm, approximately 0.8 mm, approximately 0.9 mm, approximately 1.0 mm, approximately 1.1 mm, approximately 1.2 mm, approximately 1.3 mm, approximately 1.4 mm, approximately 1.5 mm approximately 1.6 mm, approximately 1.7 mm, approximately 1.8 mm, approximately 1.9 mm, approximately 2.0 mm, approximately 2.1 mm, approximately 2.2 mm, approximately 2.3 mm, approximately 2.4 mm, approximately 2.5 mm, approximately 2.6 mm, approximately 2.7 mm, approximately 2.8 mm, approximately 2.9 mm, approximately 3.0 mm, approximately 3.1 mm, approximately 3.2 mm, approximately 3.3 mm, approximately 3.4 mm, approximately 3.5 mm, approximately 3.6 mm, approximately 3.7 mm, approximately 3.8 mm, approximately 3.9 mm, approximately 4, 0 mm or any value in between.

In one case, the method of processing aluminum alloys described herein may include the following steps. The homogenization step can be carried out by heating the cast aluminum alloy described herein to achieve a homogenization temperature of about 590 ° C. over a period of time of about 12 hours, wherein the cast aluminum alloys are held at a temperature of about 590 ° C. for about 2 hours. Then, the cast aluminum alloys can be cooled to about 580 ° C and held for about 2 hours at 580 ° C. Cast aluminum alloys can then be hot rolled to a thickness of about 2.5 mm. Then, the cast aluminum alloys can be cold rolled to a thickness of less than about 1.0 mm (for example, about 1.0 mm or less, or about 0.15 mm or less) to form an aluminum alloy sheet.

Annealing

Optionally, the aluminum alloy sheet may be annealed by heating the sheet from room temperature to an annealing temperature of about 200 ° C to about 400 ° C (e.g., from about 210 ° C to about 375 ° C, from about 220 ° C to about 350 ° C, from about 225 ° C to about 345 ° C, or from about 250 ° C to about 320 ° C). In some cases, the rate of heating to the annealing temperature may be about 100 ° C / hour or less, about 75 ° C / hour or less, about 50 ° C / hour or less, about 40 ° C / hour or less, about 30 ° C / hour or less, about 25 ° C / hour or less, about 20 ° C / hour or less, about 15 ° C / hour or less, or about 10 ° C / hour or less. The sheet may be held at a specified temperature for a certain period of time. In some aspects, the sheet is aged for up to about 6 hours (e.g., from about 10 seconds to about 6 hours, inclusive). For example, the sheet may be aged at a temperature of from about 230 ° C. to about 370 ° C. for about 20 seconds, about 25 seconds, about 30 seconds, about 35 seconds, about 40 seconds, about 45 seconds, about 50 seconds, about 55 seconds, approximately 60 seconds, approximately 65 seconds, approximately 70 seconds, approximately 75 seconds, approximately 80 seconds, approximately 85 seconds, approximately 90 seconds, approximately 95 seconds, approximately 100 seconds, approximately 105 seconds, approximately 110 seconds, approximately 115 seconds, about 120 seconds, about 125 seconds, about 130 seconds, about 135 seconds, etc. approximately 140 seconds, approximately 145 seconds, approximately 150 seconds, approximately 5 minutes, approximately 10 minutes, approximately 15 minutes, approximately 20 minutes, approximately 25 minutes, approximately 30 minutes, approximately 35 minutes, approximately 40 minutes, approximately 45 minutes, approximately 50 minutes, about 55 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 65 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 75 minutes, about 80 minutes, about 85 minutes, about 90 minutes, about 95 minutes, about 100 minutes, about 105 minutes, about 110 minutes, about 115 minutes, about 120 minutes, about 2.5 hours, about 3 hours, about 3.5 hours, about 4 hours, p imerno 4.5 hours, about 5 hours and about 5.5 hours, about 6 hours or during any time between these values. In some examples, the sheet is not annealed.

In some examples, the sheet is heated to an annealing temperature of from about 200 ° C to about 400 ° C at a constant speed from about 40 ° C / h to about 50 ° C / h. In some aspects, the sheet is held at annealing temperature for from about 3 hours to about 5 hours (for example, for about 4 hours). In some cases, the sheet is cooled from the annealing temperature at a constant rate from about 40 ° C / hour to about 50 ° C / hour. In some examples, the sheet is not annealed.

Application methods

The alloys and methods described herein can be used in industrial applications, including materials for sacrificial elements, heat dissipation, packaging and building materials. The alloys described herein can be used as industrial blanks for heat exchanger plates. An industrial plate blank can be made to be more resistant to corrosion than currently used industrial alloys for plate blanks (e.g. AA7072 and AA1100), but it is still preferably corroded, protecting other metal parts included in composition of the heat exchanger. The aluminum alloys described herein are suitable substitutes for the metals commonly used in HVAC installations inside and outside buildings. In this context, the meaning of “inside buildings” refers to the location within any structure created by man, with controlled environmental conditions. In this context, the meaning “outside of buildings” refers to an incomplete location inside any structure created by man and in a place subject to geological and meteorological external conditions, including exposure to air, solar radiation, wind, rain, snow and rain, snow, supercooled rain, ice, hail, dust storms, moisture, aridity, smoke (e.g. tobacco smoke, stove smoke, industrial waste incinerator smoke and forest fire smoke), smog, exhaust from burning fossil fuels, exhaust from burning i biofuels, salts (e.g. air with high salt content in areas close to large saltwater facilities), radioactivity, electromagnetic waves, corrosive gases, corrosive liquids, electroplating metals, electroplating alloys, corrosive solids, plasma, fire, electrostatic discharge (e.g., lightning), biological materials (e.g., animal waste, saliva, secreted oils, flora), particles moved by the wind, changes in barometric pressure and per diem fluctuations in temperature. The aluminum alloys described herein provide higher corrosion characteristics and higher strength than the alloys currently in use.

The following examples serve to further illustrate the present invention, but they do not constitute any limitation thereof. On the contrary, it is obvious that various embodiments, modifications and their equivalents can be used, which, after reading the present description, may become clear to specialists in this field of technology without deviating from the general idea of the present invention. During the studies described in the following examples, standard methods were used, unless otherwise indicated. Some of these methods are described below for purposes of illustration.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Mechanical Properties

Illustrative and comparative alloys are presented in table 5, were obtained in accordance with the methods described in this document. Alloys 1, 2, 3 and 4 are illustrative alloys obtained in accordance with the methods described herein. Alloy 5 is a comparative alloy obtained in accordance with the methods described herein. Alloy A is AA7072, which is currently used as an industrial blank for wafers in industrial applications. Alloy B is AA1100, which is currently used as an industrial blank for wafers in industrial applications.

Table 5

Alloy Zn Si Fe Cu Mn Mg Cr Ti one 1.00 0.29 0.51 0.16 0.86 1.2 0.001 0.011 2 1.53 0.3 0.51 0.17 0.87 1.21 0.001 0.016 3 2.04 0.29 0.51 0.17 0.87 1.21 0.001 0.015 four 2.54 0.29 0.51 0.17 0.88 1.23 0.001 0.012 5 0.15 0.22 0.31 0.07 1.00 1.02 0.001 0.16 Comp. A 1.3 0.07 0.37 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 Comp. B 0.1 0.165 0.55 0.075 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.03

All values are expressed in mass. %

The mechanical properties of the illustrative alloys and comparative alloys were determined in accordance with ASTM B557. In particular, the alloys were subjected to tensile, elongation and conductivity tests. The yield strength (YS), tensile strength (UTS), percent elongation (EI) and percentage relative to the international standard for annealed copper (% IACS) were determined. The test results are presented in table 6.

Table 6

Alloy Thickness (mm) YS (MPa) UTS (MPa) Ext. (%) % IACS YS (MPa) UTS (MPa) Ext. (%) % IACS YS (MPa) UTS (MPa) Ext. (%) % IACS H19 H23 O one 0.155 289 296 1.77 39.6 210 241 6.94 41.6 67 171 16.38 42.0 2 0.161 299 307 2,37 42.6 207 239 7.09 41.7 109 183 12.93 43.6 3 0.156 300 308 2.18 40.8 206 236 6.99 41.7 78 190 13.63 39.2 four 0.160 309 318 2.14 40.7 212 240 6.46 41.7 85 205 14.31 43.8 5 0.152 289 297 1.98 36.0 204 230 5.58 36.6 160 206 9.78 39.1 Comp.
A 0.178 196 213 5.1 59 - - - - - - - - Comp.
B * 0.102 - - - - 108 122.0 20,4 60.3 - - - -

* Comparative example B during the test was in state H22.

The tensile test results clearly demonstrate the superior strength of the illustrative alloys compared to the alloys currently used as industrial blanks for plates. Illustrative alloys have an average conductivity of about 37-44% IACS. As shown in Table 6 above, the illustrative alloys described herein exhibit exceptional mechanical properties compared to comparative alloys, and can be excellent industrial alloys used for industrial plate blanks.

Example 2: Corrosion Properties

The corrosion properties of the illustrative alloys described herein and the comparative alloys described herein, the elemental compositions of which are shown in Table 5, were determined. In addition, the corrosion properties of the two additional comparative pipe alloys were determined. Comparative alloy C is an aluminum pipe alloy containing 0.15 mass. % Zn, and comparative alloy D is aluminum alloy AA1235, widely used in heat exchangers. EMF values corrosion was determined in accordance with ASTM G69. The corrosion test results are presented in Table 7. Aluminum pipe alloys, comparative alloy C and comparative alloy D had an average free corrosion potential of SCE -741 mV.

Table 7

Alloy Zn (wt.%) Ecorr (mV) rel. SCE H19 H23 O one 1.00 -747 -749 -739 2 1,53 -778 -759 -779 3 2.04 -792 -761 -794 four 2.54 -809 -766 -821 5 0.15 -731 -730 -730 Comp. A 1.30 -886 - - Comp. B * 0.10 - -731 - Comp. C -741 Comp. D -742

* Alloy AA1100 during test was in state H22.

The difference between the corrosion resistance values of alloys 1-5 and comparative alloy C is presented below in table 8.

Table 8

Alloy Zn (wt.%) ΔEcorr (mV) H19 H23 O one 1.00 6 8 -2 2 1,53 37 eighteen 38 3 2.04 51 twenty 53 four 2.54 68 25 80 5 0.15 -10 -eleven -eleven

The difference between the corrosion resistance values of alloys 1-5 and comparative alloy D is presented below in table 9.

Table 9

Alloy Zn (wt.%) ΔEcorr (mV) H19 H23 O one 1.00 5 7 -3 2 1,53 36 17 37 3 2.04 fifty 19 52 four 2.54 67 24 79 5 0.15 -eleven -12 -12

Illustrative alloys in all states (e.g., H19, H23, and O) exhibited electrochemical potential values comparable to comparative alloys. The difference between alloys 1-5 and comparative alloy C, as well as between alloys 1-5 and comparative alloy D was 15-80 mV. The data obtained demonstrate that alloys 2, 3, 4, and 5 are acceptable for the manufacture of plates acting as sacrificial anodes.

Illustrative alloys with different Zn contents subjected to electrochemical corrosion testing also showed an almost linear correlation between the Zn content and the electrochemical potential. On average, an increase of 0.1 mass. % Zn leads to an increase in the electrochemical potential by about 9 mV. Illustrative alloys with a Zn content of about 2.5 mass. % or more showed a more negative potential for corrosion, indicating that the introduction of Zn in an amount of more than about 2.5 mass. % may not be desirable to achieve certain properties. Zn can be added in the optimal amount to ensure sufficient corrosion resistance as a sacrificial alloy in the heat exchanger, preferably corroding earlier than any primary metal parts of the heat exchanger, suggesting that the illustrative alloys described herein are an excellent substitute for the alloys used in this time in industrial blanks for plates.

The corrosion properties of the illustrative alloys described herein and the comparative alloys described herein in accordance with ASTM G71 were also determined. In particular, corrosion properties were measured using zero resistance amperometry (ZRA). The galvanic compatibility of ZRA was measured, with illustrative alloys used as blanks for plates, and comparative alloy C and comparative alloy D used as tube blanks. The results presented in tables 10 and 11 show the average current during the last four hours of the cycle carried out in accordance with the specified test method. Table 10 shows the ZRA results for alloys 1-5 galvanically attached to comparative alloy C.

Table 10

Alloy Zn (wt.%) Average current (μA / cm ² ) H19 H23 one 1.00 26 35 2 1,53 29th 24 3 2.04 thirty 37 four 2.54 27 26 5 0.15 -23 -fifteen

As shown in table 10, alloys 1, 2, 3 and 4, containing from 1 to 2.5 mass. % Zn showed a positive corrosion current, indicating that illustrative plate alloys provide sacrificial protection for pipe alloys.

Table 11 summarizes the ZRA results for alloys 1-5 galvanically attached to comparative alloy D.

Table 11

Alloy Zn (wt.%) Average current (μA / cm ² ) H19 H23 one 1.00 -thirty 12.8 2 1,53 10 fifteen 3 2.04 13 4.5 four 2.54 25 9.1 5 0.15 -25 -29

As shown in table 11, alloys 1, 2, 3 and 4, containing from 1 to 2.5 mass. % Zn, showed lower corrosion currents than the illustrative alloys connected to comparative alloy C, but at the same time provided sacrificial protection of the pipe alloy. All illustrative plate alloys demonstrated that during the test period a protective current was provided for pipes made of comparative alloy C and comparative alloy D.

The compatibility of illustrative alloys for plates joined to comparative pipe alloys, comparative alloy C and comparative alloy D was also evaluated in accordance with ASTM Appendix G85. Used artificial sea water, acidified to a pH of 2.8-3.0. Illustrative plate samples were mechanically attached to pipe alloys and corroded for 4 weeks. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, samples of illustrative alloys showed an ever higher degree of corrosion with increasing zinc content from 2% to 2.5%. This is especially true for illustrative alloys attached to comparative alloy D. Based on the data obtained, in some cases, a Zn content of less than 2 masses is preferred. %, but it can be optimized depending on the composition of the pipe.

The aluminum alloys described herein provide sacrificial corrosion and mechanical characteristics that make it possible to manufacture a blank for an aluminum alloy plate with a lower metal thickness. Such a blank for plates with a smaller metal thickness retains the sacrificial protection of pipes made of copper or aluminum alloy brought into contact with such plates. The aluminum alloys described herein can also be used in other situations where mechanical strength is required in combination with sacrificial characteristics.

All patents, publications, and theses cited above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. To implement the various objectives of the present invention, several embodiments are described. It should be understood that these embodiments only illustrate the principles of the present invention. Their numerous modifications and changes are understood by those skilled in the art without departing from the general idea and scope of the present invention defined in the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. An aluminum alloy containing 0.7-3.0 wt.% Zn, 0.15-0.35 wt.% Si, 0.25-0.65 wt.% Fe, 0.05-0.20 wt. Wt.% Cu, 0.75-1.50 wt.% Mn, 0.50-1.50 wt.% Mg, up to 0.10 wt.% Cr, up to 0.10 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% impurities and the rest Al. 2. The aluminum alloy according to claim 1, containing 1.0-2.5 wt.% Zn, 0.2-0.35 wt.% Si, 0.35-0.60 wt.% Fe, 0.10- 0.20 wt.% Cu, 0.75-1.25 wt.% Mn, 0.90-1.30 wt.% Mg, up to 0.05 wt.% Cr, up to 0.05 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% impurities and the rest Al. 3. The aluminum alloy according to claim 1, containing 1.5-2.5 wt.% Zn, 0.17-0.33 wt.% Si, 0.30-0.55 wt.% Fe, 0.15- 0.20 wt.% Cu, 0.80-1.00 wt.% Mn, 1.00-1.25 wt.% Mg, up to 0.05 wt.% Cr, up to 0.05 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% impurities and the rest Al. 4. The aluminum alloy according to claim 1, containing 0.9-2.6 wt.% Zn, 0.2-0.33 wt.% Si, 0.49-0.6 wt.% Fe, 0.15- 0.19 wt.% Cu, 0.79-0.94 wt.% Mn, 1.13-1.27 wt.% Mg, up to 0.05 wt.% Cr, up to 0.05 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% impurities and the rest Al. 5. The aluminum alloy according to claim 1, containing 1.4-1.6 wt.% Zn, 0.2-0.33 wt.% Si, 0.49-0.6 wt.% Fe, 0.15- 0.19 wt.% Cu, 0.79-0.94 wt.% Mn, 1.13-1.27 wt.% Mg, up to 0.05 wt.% Cr, up to 0.05 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% impurities and the rest Al. 6. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, obtained by casting with direct cooling or continuous casting. 7. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, obtained by homogenization, hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing. 8. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, obtained after cold rolling with or without heat treatment in state H or obtained after annealing in state O. 9. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, the yield strength of which is at least 70 MPa. 10. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, the tensile strength of which is at least 170 MPa. 11. Aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10 having an electrical conductivity of more than 37% relative to the International Standard for Annealed Copper (IACS). 12. The aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, having a corrosion potential from -740 to -850 mV. 13. A blank for a plate containing an aluminum alloy according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12. 14. The blank for the plate of claim 13, having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less. 15. The blank for the plate according to claim 13, having a thickness of 0.15 mm or less. 16. An article containing a pipe and a plate, the plate being made of a blank according to any one of paragraphs. 13-15. 17. A method of obtaining a metal product, comprising casting an aluminum alloy to obtain a cast aluminum alloy, wherein the aluminum alloy contains 0.7-3.0 wt.% Zn, 0.15-0.35 wt.% Si, 0.25-0 , 65 wt.% Fe, 0.05-0.20 wt.% Cu, 0.75-1.50 wt.% Mn, 0.50-1.50 wt.% Mg, up to 0.05 wt.% Cr, up to 0.05 wt.% Ti, up to 0.15 wt.% Impurities and the rest Al, homogenization of the cast aluminum alloy, hot rolling of the cast aluminum alloy to obtain a rolling product, and cold rolling of the rolling product to a final product. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising annealing the final size product.

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