Patent ID: 6959476
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: B21K,B23P,C22C,C22F,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In the production of an aluminum automotive drive shaft from a heat treatable aluminum alloy using a continuous caster to cast the alloy into a slab wherein in said production an aluminum drive shaft tube member is joined to end members to form the drive shaft, the aluminum drive shaft tube member made by the method comprising: (a) providing a molten aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.2 to 0.8 wt. % Si, 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Cu, 0.45 to 1.2 wt. % Mg, 0.04 to 0.35 wt. % Cr, 0.7 wt. % max. Fe, 0.15 wt. % max. Mn, 0.25 wt. % max. Zn, 0.15 wt. % max. Ti, the remainder aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; (b) providing a continuous caster for continuously casting said molten aluminum alloy; (c) casting said molten aluminum alloy into a slab having a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 2 inches; (d) hot rolling said slab into a sheet product; (e) solution heat treating said sheet product; (f) quenching said sheet product; (g) forming said sheet into a tube having a seam; (h) welding said seam to provide a seam welded tube having an outer diameter and having end regions; (i) placing said seam welded tube in a forming die; (j) hydroforming said seam welded tube to form said automotive aluminum drive shaft tube member; and (k) aging said aluminum drive shaft tube member to increase strength properties.