Patent ID: 8420226
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: B23K,B64C,C21D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A structural member comprising at least two aluminum alloy parts, displaying different property balances, said at least two parts being welded and wherein one of said parts is selected from an initial temper different from the other of said at least two parts, and wherein at least one of said at least two parts has been pre-aged prior to being welded, and, further wherein said structural member has undergone a post-welding thermal treatment conferring a final temper to each of said at least two parts, and wherein at least one part is selected such that the final temper thereof is optimized to impart strength properties to said structural member, and at least another adjacent part is selected such that the final temper thereof is optimized to provide damage tolerance or resistance against stress corrosion and/or resistance against exfoliation corrosion to said structural member, wherein: at least two of said at least two parts comprise a 7XXX alloy part, and a 7XXX alloy part with the highest ultimate tensile strength is placed on an advancing side of a stir friction weld; or at least one of said at least two parts comprises a 2XXX alloy part and another of said at least two parts comprises a 7XXX alloy part, and wherein the 2XXX alloy part is placed on an advancing side of a stir friction weld.