Heat exchanger incorporating a rolled aluminum alloy

Abstract

A heat exchanger incorporating at least one component made from a rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of Si 0.2% to 1.3%, Mg 0.3% to 1.3%, Cu up to 0.80%, Fe 0.05% to 1.0%, Mn 0.05% to 0.70%, optionally one or two elements selected from the group 0.05-0.35% Zr and 0.04-0.35% Cr, Zn up to 0.25%, Ti up to 0.25%, balance unavoidable impurities and aluminium, and wherein the Fe/Mn ratio is <1.90.

1 . A heat exchanger incorporating at least one component made from a rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of
 Si 0.2% to 1.3%,   Mg 0.3% to 1.3%,   Cu up to 0.80%,   Fe 0.05% to 1.0%,   Mn 0.05% to 0.70%,   optionally one or two elements selected from the group 0.05-0.35% Zr and 0.04-0.35% Cr,   Zn up to 0.25%,   Ti up to 0.25%,   
       balance unavoidable impurities and aluminium, and wherein the Fe/Mn ratio is <1.90. 
     
     
         2 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Fe-content of maximum 0.8%. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mn-content of maximum 0.50%. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Si-content of maximum 0.80%. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mg-content of at least 0.40%. 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mg-content of not more than 0.9%. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Cu-content of up to 0.4%. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has been homogenized. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 8 , wherein the 6xxx-series core alloy has been homogenized for up to 48 hours at a temperature in a range of 525° C. to 600° C. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Fe/Mn ratio of <1.80. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a first side and a second side, and at least one clad layer on the first side or the second side. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one clad layer is made from an alloy selected from the group consisting of a 1xxx, 4xxx, and 7xxx-series aluminium alloy. 
     
     
         13 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is non-clad. 
     
     
         14 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy forms a base plate, a header or a side support of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 12 mm and forms the base plate, the header or the side support of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in a fully annealed O-temper. 
     
     
         17 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in a H1X-temper or H2X-temper. 
     
     
         18 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in an F-temper. 
     
     
         19 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is an automotive heat exchanger. 
     
     
         20 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator, a condenser, an evaporator, an oil cooler, an inter cooler, a charge air cooler or a heater core. 
     
     
         21 . A method of use of a rolled aluminium alloy as defined in  claim 1 , comprising forming the alloy into a component in a heat exchanger, as a base plate, a header or a side support in said heat exchanger. 
     
     
         22 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.50% Fe. 
     
     
         23 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.40% Mn. 
     
     
         24 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.60% Si. 
     
     
         25 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has not more than 0.8% Mg. 
     
     
         26 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy Fe/Mn ratio is <1.75. 
     
     
         27 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has
 Fe maximum 0.50%,   Mn maximum 0.40%,   Si maximum 0.60%,   Mg at least 0.40 to not more than 0.8%,   Fe/Mn ratio of <1.75.