Increasing strength and ductility of precipitation-hardenable metal materials such as light metal alloys based on e.g. aluminum, comprises transferring the material into a state of solid solution, and rapidly cooling/quenching the material

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This patent describes a method to significantly enhance both the strength and ductility of precipitation-hardenable metal alloys, such as those based on aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel, or iron. The process involves solution annealing to dissolve alloying elements, rapid quenching to create a supersaturated solid solution, intensive shear deformation using specific channel pressing techniques, and subsequent precipitation hardening through aging treatments. This combination of treatments improves the mechanical properties of the metals for various applications.

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• Manufacturing of automotive components requiring lightweight and strong materials
• Production of aerospace parts where high strength-to-weight ratio is critical
• Fabrication of high-performance sporting goods such as bicycles or golf clubs
• Creation of durable electronic casings and structural components
• Development of robust building materials for construction and infrastructure

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Simultaneously increases both strength and ductility of metal alloys, traditionally seen as a trade-off
• Expands the field of use for lightweight metals like aluminum and magnesium in demanding applications
• Yields improved mechanical properties through a scalable, industrially applicable process
• Compatible with existing extrusion and pressing technologies, facilitating adoption
• Can produce components with superior properties without increasing material weight

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Patent Abstract

The method for increasing strength and ductility of precipitation-hardenable metal materials such as light metal alloys based on aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel or iron, comprises transferring the materials into a state of solid solution by solution annealing, rapidly cooling/quenching the material, where the dissolved alloying elements are kept in a supersaturated solid solution, intensively shear-deforming the materials in the supersaturated solid solution-strengthened state without or without additional precipitation of alloying elements, and precipitation-hardening the material. The method for increasing strength and ductility of precipitation-hardenable metal materials such as light metal alloys based on aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel or iron, comprises transferring the materials into a state of solid solution by solution annealing, rapidly cooling/quenching the material, where the dissolved alloying elements are kept in a supersaturated solid solution, intensively shear-deforming the materials in the supersaturated solid solution-strengthened state without or without additional precipitation of alloying elements, and precipitation-hardening the material to a semi-finished or finished product by cold- or thermal aging treatment of the material. The intensive shear-deformation takes place by cross-sectional, homogeneous pressing or pulling in the channel sections at a temperature (T) of = 120[deg] C or at room temperature, where the channel sections are right-angle to each other and have a pressing channel or pulling channel, which is provided in a matrix (1). The material for the shear-deformation is pressed and/or pulled by the channel sections (2, 3) of the matrix in a single or repeated manner. The material is shear-deformed at an angle (phi ) of 90[deg] . A cross-section of the material remains unchanged during the shear-deformation. A first channel section and/or a second channel section, by which the material is shear-deformed under directional change, consist of partial channels. The material is solution-annealed at a temperature nearer to its solidification point and is subsequently quenched before the shear-deformation is carried out. An external angle (psi ) of the channels of the matrix is 0-90[deg] . After the shear-deformation, a hardening and/or aging treatment takes place at room temperature, elevated temperature or a temperature of 170[deg] C for a time period of 15 minutes. Before the solution-annealing treatment, a raw basic material is provided as a homogenized ingot to an extrusion process for the formation of an input cross-section for the following solution-annealing treatment. The shear-deformation takes place according to equal-channel angular pressing process, equal-channel angular extrusion process, dissimilar channel angular pressing process, repetitive corrugation and straightening process, accumulative roll bonding process, equal-channel angular pressing conform process or incremental equal-channel angular pressing process. The temperature during the shear-deformation of the material is lower than during the subsequent precipitation-hardening and/or cold- or thermal aging treatment of the material. The material is pressed and/or pulled using a stamp or by hydraulic pressure through the first channel section, is changed in an edge- or deflection area (7) in its direction of motion, and is pressed and/or pulled by the second channel section. The precipitation-hardening and/or cold- or thermal aging treatment takes place initially at a first temperature level and finally at a second temperature level.