Patent Document ID: 7503986
Application ID: 10347948
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for producing a heat-treated 6061 series aluminum alloy extrusion in a shortened period of time, said method comprising: (a) providing a billet comprised of an aluminum alloy selected from the 6061 series of aluminum alloys; (b) homogenizing said billet; (c) cooling said billet; (d) reheating said billet; (e) extruding said billet above 900° F. to form an extrusion; (f) first stage cooling said extrusion to about 500° F., wherein a first stage cooling rate is from about 25° F. per second to about 80° F. per second, wherein said first stage cooling rate is below a critical cooling rate so said extrusion is essentially free of thermal stress distortion; (g) second stage cooling said extrusion to ambient temperature; (h) heating said extrusion to an artificial aging temperature of 350° F. to 400° F. within about eight hours after second stage cooling; and (i) artificially aging said extrusion at said artificial aging temperature for about 5 to about 120 minutes to form said heat-treated 6061 series aluminum alloy extrusion in a peak strength temper.