Patent ID: 7837808
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: B21C,B64C,C21D,C22F

Abstract:
1. A metallic component obtained from a process comprising: a) preparing a metal plate comprising a heat treatable aluminum alloy for aircraft construction of the series 7xxx by a process comprising: a1) casting a rolling ingot, optionally followed by homogenization, a2) conducting at least one hot or cold rolling operation, optionally separated by at least one re-heating operation, to obtain said plate, a3) conducting at least one cutting and/or finishing operation, b) pre-machining said plate on one or both sides thereof to form pre-machined stock of a targeted shape consisting of three or more machined channels, said machined channels having a constant cross-section throughout their length, c) solution heat treating said pre-machined stock, d) quenching said pre-machined stock, e) controlled stretching of said pre-machined stock, wherein said solution heat treating, quenching and stretching of said pre-machined stock having said one or more machined channels minimizes uncontrolled distortion of said stock and increases fracture toughness of said metallic component above the fracture toughness of what would be obtained without including said shape consisting of one or more machined channels therein, and after said controlled stretching optionally conducting one of the following: f) aging, and/or g) cutting, wherein