Patent ID: 8415025

Claim:
A composite metal as-cast ingot comprising a plurality of substantially parallel lengthwise alloy layers, including a first alloy layer adjacent to a second alloy layer, said first alloy layer being formed of an aluminum-manganese alloy and second alloy layer being formed of an aluminum alloy of a different composition, wherein the interface between said first alloy layer and said second alloy layer is in the form of a substantially continuous metallurgical bond characterized by the presence of particles of one or more intermetallic compositions of aluminum and manganese dispersed or exuded from the first alloy layer into a region, adjacent to the interface, of the second alloy layer, said first and second alloy layers having been formed by applying said aluminum alloy for said second alloy layer in a molten state to a self-supporting surface of the first alloy layer while the self-supporting surface of the first alloy layer is at a temperature between the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the alloy of said first alloy layer.