High strength aluminum alloy

Abstract

High strength aluminum alloys and methods for producing them. The alloys consist essentially of about 9.0 to 10.3 wt. % zinc, about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % magnesium, about 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % copper and less than about 0.05 wt. % of any other alloying constituent. The balance consists of aluminum. These alloys are compatible with ceramic reinforcements used in metal matrix composites.

1 . An aluminum alloy consisting essentially of about 9.0 to 10.3 wt. % zinc, about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % magnesium, about 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % copper and less than about 0.5 wt. % of any other alloying constituent, the balance aluminum. 
     
     
         2 . A metal matrix composite comprising a metal phase consisting essentially of about 9.0 to 10.3 wt. % zinc, about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % magnesium, about 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % copper and less than about 0.5 wt. % of any other alloying constituent, the balance aluminum, and a reinforcement phase selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, SiAlON, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, titanium silicide, molybdenum silicide, nickel aluminate, boron carbide, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 2  wherein the metal phase comprises about 50 to 99 vol. %. 
     
     
         4 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 2  wherein the reinforcement phase is selected from the group consisting of particulates, whiskers, fibers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A method for producing a high strength aluminum alloy product comprising:
 (a) providing an aluminum-base alloy consisting essentially of about 9.0 to 10.3 wt. % zinc, about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % magnesium, about 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % copper and less than about 0.5 wt. % of any other alloying constituent, the balance aluminum;   (b) working the alloy into a product;   (c) heat treating the product;   (d) quenching the heat treated product; and   (e) aging the product within a temperature range of about 235° F. to 270° F. for at least 6 hours.   
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a high strength aluminum alloy matrix composite product comprising:
 (a) providing an aluminum-base metal phase consisting essentially of about 9.0 to 10.3 wt. % zinc, about 2.5 to 3.5 wt. % magnesium, about 1.5 to 3.0 wt. % copper, and not more than about 0.5 wt. % of any other alloying constituent, the balance aluminum;   (b) blending said metal phase with at least one reinforcement phase consisting essentially of a gradation of particles sizes having 90% less than minus 325 mesh;   (c) working said blended metal phase and reinforcement phase to produce a product;   (d) heat treating said product;   (e) quenching said product; and   (f) aging said product within a temperature range of about 235° F. to 270° F. for at least 6 hours.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  in which said reinforcement phase is selected from the group of particulates, whiskers, fibers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  in which said reinforcement phase is selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, SiAlON, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, titanium silicide, molybdenum silicide, nickel aluminate, boron carbide, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  in which said blended metal phase and reinforcement phase comprises 50 to 99 vol. % of said metal powder phase and 1 to 50 vol. % of said reinforcement phase. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  in which said metal phase comprises a pre-alloyed powder. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  in which said metal phase comprises a mixture containing at least one elemental powder.