Patent ID: 6368427
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: C22C

Abstract:
A method of casting an aluminum base alloy to provide a cast product having hot crack resistance in the as-cast condition, the method comprising:(a) providing a melt of an aluminum base alloy comprised of 4 to less than 5 wt. % Cu, max. 0.1 wt. % Mn, 0.15 to 0.55 wt. % Mg, max. 0.4 wt. % Si, max. 0.2 wt. % Zn, up to 0.4 wt. % Fe, the balance comprised of aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; (b) maintaining the dissolved Ti in the range of about 0.005 to 0.05 wt. % in said melt to improve the resistance of said alloy to hot cracking; (c) adding a nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, aluminides and borides to said melt to provide an undissolved nucleating agent therein in the range of about 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining; and (d) solidifying said alloy to provide a cast product having a grain size of less than 125 microns and being free of hot cracks.