Aluminum alloy

Abstract

An aluminum alloy is provided. The aluminum alloy has the following composition: 0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Si, 0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Mg, 0.3 to 2.5 wt % of Mn, 0.2 to 1.5 wt % of Fe, 0.05 to 0.75 wt % of Zr, and 0.03 to 0.18 wt % of Ti. The balance of the alloy is aluminum and impurities. The aluminum alloy may further optionally include one or more of the following elements: a maximum of 0.1 wt % of Cr, a maximum of 0.05 wt % of Cu, 0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Zn, and 0.02 to 0.5 wt % of Er. The aluminum alloy may further optionally include 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of a grain refiner containing Ti and B. The alloy is suitable for the production of components having elevated heat stability, especially for the production of components for the automobile industry, by extrusion, forging or casting in permanent molds.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An aluminum alloy for components having increased heat stability, particularly for the production of such components by means of extrusion, forging or casting in permanent molds, the aluminum alloy having the following composition:
 0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Si;   0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Mg;   0.8 to 2.5 wt % of Mn;   0.2 to 1.5 wt % of Fe;   0.05 to 0.75 wt % of Zr; and   0.03 to 0.18 wt % of Ti,   the aluminum alloy further optionally comprising one or more elements selected from the group consisting of: a maximum of 0.1 wt % of Cr, a maximum of 0.05 wt % of Cu, 0.2 to 1.8 wt % of Zn, and 0.02 to 0.5 wt % of Er, the aluminum alloy further optionally comprising 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of a grain refiner containing Ti and B; and   the balance being aluminum and impurities.   
     
     
         26 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the Mn content is 0.8 to 1.5 wt %, preferably 1.2 to 1.5 wt %. 
     
     
         27 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein a ratio of Fe/Mn is in the range of 0.5 to 0.7, preferably 2:3. 
     
     
         28 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the Si content is 0.6 to 0.8 wt %, preferably 0.7 wt %. 
     
     
         29 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein a ratio of Mg/Si is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, preferably 1:1. 
     
     
         30 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the Zr content is from 0.08 to 0.35 wt %, preferably 0.1 to 0.3 wt %. 
     
     
         31 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein a ratio of Ti/Zr is in the range of 0.15 to 1, preferably 1:4. 
     
     
         32 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy comprises Cu in an amount not exceeding 0.05 wt %, preferably not exceeding 0.03 wt %. 
     
     
         33 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy comprises Cr in an amount not exceeding 0.1 wt %, preferably not exceeding 0.08 wt %. 
     
     
         34 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy comprises 0.02 to 0.5 wt % Er, preferably 0.02 to 0.3 wt % Er. 
     
     
         35 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the Zn content is 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 0.7 wt %. 
     
     
         36 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the Zn content is 0.4 to 1.2 wt %, preferably 0.6 to 1.2 wt %, particularly 1 wt %. 
     
     
         37 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a Brinell hardness (HBWS/250) of at least 55, preferably at least 65, more preferably at least 80. 
     
     
         38 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a solidus temperature of ≥610° C. 
     
     
         39 . The aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , wherein the aluminum alloy is heat-treated for a period of 2 to 42 hours, preferably 6 to 24 hours, at a temperature in the range of 325° C. to 425° C., preferably at 350° C. to 400° C., followed by cooling in a gaseous or liquid medium. 
     
     
         40 . A component, in particular for the automotive industry, made of the aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 . 
     
     
         41 . The component according to  claim 40 , wherein the component is produced by casting in permanent molds, in particular by pressure die casting, or by forging, or by extrusion. 
     
     
         42 . The component according to  claim 40 , wherein the component is subjected to a heat treatment for a period of 4 to 72 hours, preferably 8 to 24 hours, at a temperature in the range of 150° C. to 250° C., preferably at 180 to 220° C. 
     
     
         43 . The component according to  claim 42 , wherein the component has a Brinell hardness (HBWS/250) in the range of 70 to 120, in particular in the range of 75 to 95. 
     
     
         44 . The component according to  claim 40 , wherein the component has been further processed by one or more thermal joining processes, preferably by soldering, brazing or welding. 
     
     
         45 . A method of manufacturing a component for the automotive industry using the aluminum alloy according to  claim 25 , the method comprising:
 pressure die casting, forging or extrusion the aluminum alloy, and   optionally further processing the component by joining processes, in particular by thermal joining processes.