Solid shapes extrusion

Abstract

A method of forming a generally L-shaped extrusion from a body of aluminum alloy, the extrusion having good flatness and straightness without the use of a straightening step. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy and providing an extrusion press having a die for extruding a hollow-shaped tube having a generally rectangular-shaped cross section. The body is extruded to provide the rectangular-shaped tube which is then precipitation hardened to increase its strength. After precipitation hardening, the tube is machined in the longitudinal direction to separate it into two L-shaped members having good flatness and straightness.

1 . A method of producing a generally L-shaped member from a body of aluminum alloy, the member having good flatness and straightness without the use of a straightening step, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a body of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy;    (b) providing an extrusion press having a die for extruding a hollow tube having a generally rectangular shape;    (c) extruding said body to provide said rectangular-shaped tube;    (d) thermally treating said aluminum alloy tube to increase its strength; and    (e) machining said tube in a longitudinal direction to separate said tube into two L-shaped members having good flatness and straightness.    
   
   
       2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including heating said body to a temperature range of 800° to 850° F. prior to extruding.  
   
   
       3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including maintaining said body in a temperature range of 800° to 820° F.  
   
   
       4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the rectangular-shaped tube has an aspect ratio in the range of 1:1 to 14:1.  
   
   
       5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the rectangular-shaped tube has an aspect ratio in the range of 1:5 to 14:1.  
   
   
       6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA2xxx and AA7xxx series aluminum alloys.  
   
   
       7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA7050, AA7150, AA7075, and AA7175.  
   
   
       8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA2014, AA2024, and AA2224.  
   
   
       9 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including thermally treating said tube to a T73 or T76 condition.  
   
   
       10 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including thermally treating said tube to a T77 condition.  
   
   
       11 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said thermally treating includes subjecting said tube to a temperature range in the range of 125° to 325° F. for a time period of 2 to 30 hours.  
   
   
       12 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said thermally treating includes three temperature treatments characterized by a low temperature treatment followed by a higher treatment, followed by a lower temperature treatment.  
   
   
       13 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said thermally treating includes subjecting said tube to a temperature range of 150° to 325° F. for 3 to 30 hours followed by a second treating in a temperature range of 325° to 500° F. for 5 minutes to 3 hours followed by a third treating in a temperature range of 175° to 325° F. for 2 to 30 hours.  
   
   
       14 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said L-shaped member has an angle with a variation along the member of ±½°.  
   
   
       15 . The product produced by the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       16 . The product produced by the method of  claim 7 .  
   
   
       17 . The product produced by the method of  claim 8 .  
   
   
       18 . The product produced by the method of  claim 12 .  
   
   
       19 . The product produced by the method of  claim 13 .  
   
   
       20 . The product produced by the method of  claim 14 .  
   
   
       21 . A method of producing a generally L-shaped member from a body of aluminum alloy, the member having good flatness and straightness without use of a straightening step, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a body of 7xxx series precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy;    (b) providing a press having a die for extruding a hollow tube having a generally rectangular shape;    (c) heating said body;    (d) extruding said body to provide said rectangular-shaped aluminum alloy tube;    (e) thermally treating said tube by one of: 
 (i) subjecting said tube to a temperature range in the range of 125° to 325° F. for a time period of 2 to 30 hours, or  
 (ii) subjecting said tube to a temperature range of 150° to 325° F. for 3 to 30 hours followed by a second treating in a temperature range of 325° to 500° F. for 5 minutes to 3 hours followed by a third treating in a temperature range of 175° to 325° F. for 2 to 30 hours; and  
   (f) machining said tube in a longitudinal direction to separate said tube into two L-shaped members having good flatness and straightness.    
   
   
       22 . The product produced by the method of  claim 21 .  
   
   
       23 . A method of producing a generally shaped member from a body of aluminum alloy, the member having good flatness and straightness without the use of a straightening step, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a body of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy;    (b) providing an extrusion press having a die for extruding an extrusion having at least one hollow tube;    (c) extruding said body to provide said extrusion;    (d) thermally treating said aluminum alloy extrusion to increase its strength; and    (e) machining said extrusion in a longitudinal direction to separate said tube into at least one shaped member having good flatness and straightness.    
   
   
       24 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said aluminum alloy is a precipitation hardenable alloy.  
   
   
       25 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  including heating said body to a temperature range of about 800° to 850° F. prior to extruding.  
   
   
       26 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  including maintaining said body in a temperature range of 800° to 820° F.  
   
   
       27 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the extrusion has an aspect ratio in the range of 1:1 to 14:1.  
   
   
       28 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the extrusion has an aspect ratio in the range of 1:5 to 14:1.  
   
   
       29 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA2xxx and AA7xxx series aluminum alloys.  
   
   
       30 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA7050, AA7150, AA7075, and AA7175.  
   
   
       31 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the group consisting of AA2014, AA2024, and AA2224.  
   
   
       32 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  including thermally treating said tube to a T73 or T76 condition.  
   
   
       33 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  including thermally treating said tube to a T77 condition.  
   
   
       34 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said thermally treating includes subjecting said tube to a temperature range in the range of 125° to 325° F. for a time period of 2 to 30 hours.  
   
   
       35 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said thermally treating includes three temperature treatments characterized by a low temperature treatment followed by a higher treatment, followed by a lower temperature treatment.  
   
   
       36 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein said thermally treating includes subjecting said tube to a temperature range of 150° to 325° F. for 3 to 30 hours followed by a second treating in a temperature range of 325° to 500° F. for 5 minutes to 3 hours followed by a third treating in a temperature range of 175° to 325° F. for 2 to 30 hours.