Method of manufacturing near-net shape alloy product

Abstract

A method of producing a heat treatable metal product having the ordered steps of providing an ingot of a heat treatable metal alloy; rolling the ingot to a flat product; removing material from the product to achieve a near-net shape of a desired final shape; and solution heat treating the product. The product is stretched to the desired final shape and aged to achieve the desired mechanical properties.

1 . A method of producing a heat treatable metal product comprising the ordered steps of: 
 (a) providing an ingot of a heat treatable metal alloy;    (b) rolling the ingot to a flat product;    (c) removing material from the product to achieve a shape near-net to a desired final shape;    (d) solution heat treating the product;    (e) stretching the product to achieve the desired final shape; and    (f) aging the product.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal alloy is an aluminum alloy.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises machining the product to achieve the near-net shape.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA series 2XXX, 6XXX and 7XXX.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the flat product is in the F temper.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the final product is a component of an aircraft.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the component is a wing panel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (c) comprises machining the near-net shape of a skin and stiffening members in the wing panel.  
     
     
         9 . A heat treated metal component produced according to the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The heat treated metal component of  claim 9 , wherein said product is a component of an aircraft.  
     
     
         11 . The heat treated metal component of  claim 10 , wherein the component is a wing panel.