Patent ID: 6406571
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: C22F

Abstract:
A process of producing a painted shaped article, comprising:obtaining a sheet article made of an aluminum alloy of the 2000 or 6000 series in a T4 or T4P temper; allowing the sheet article to age naturally for a period of 48 hours or more; shaping the article by bending or stamping the article to form a non-planar shaped article: subjecting the shaped article to a thermal spiking treatment involving heating the shaped article temporarily to a peak temperature in a range of 150 to 300Â° C.; applying paint to the shaped article to form a painted shaped article; and optionally to further enhance hardness of the painted shaped article and/or to cure the applied paint, by baking the article at a temperature of at least about 177Â° C.