Patent ID: 7435306

Claim:
A method of producing an aluminum alloy rivet comprising: providing a metal powder comprising 0.9 to 10 weight % magnesium; 6 weight % to 9 weight % zinc; about 2 weight % copper; about 2 weight % cobalt; about 0.2 weight % zirconium; about 0.2 weight % nickel; and balance aluminum; processing the metal powder with a nanostructured material synthesis technique such that at least 0.3 weight % nitrogen is added to the metal powder without introducing substantially any refractory material during processing and wherein the processed metal powder has a yield strength from about 67 to 126 ksi at −320° F.; consolidating the processed metal powder; and forming the consolidated metal into the form of a rivet having at least a head portion and a body portion.