U.S. patent application number 10/530484 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for aluminum alloy for cutting processing, and aluminum alloy worked article made of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Showa Denko K.K.. Invention is credited to Hideaki Matsuoka, Masaki Yamanaka, Hiroki Yoshioka.
Application Number | 20060108030 10/530484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32095416 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060108030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshioka; Hiroki ; et
al. |
May 25, 2006 |
Aluminum alloy for cutting processing, and aluminum alloy worked
article made of the same
Abstract
An aluminum alloy for cutting processing consists essentially of
Cu: 1 to 6.5 mass %, Zn: 0.05 to 1 mass %, Bi: 0.1 to 1 mass %, Sn:
0.1 to 1 mass %, B: 100 mass ppm or less, or further includes at
least one element as a selective additional element selected from
the group consisting of Fe: 0.05 to 1 mass %, Mg: 0.01 to 0.3 mass
%, Si: 0.05 to 1 mass % and Ti: 0.01 to 0.5 mass %.
Inventors: |
Yoshioka; Hiroki; (Tochigi,
JP) ; Yamanaka; Masaki; (Tochigi, JP) ;
Matsuoka; Hideaki; (Aichi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Showa Denko K.K.
13-9, Shiba Daimon 1-chome, Minato-ku
Tokyo
JP
105-8518
|
Family ID: |
32095416 |
Appl. No.: |
10/530484 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
October 9, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/12938 |
371 Date: |
September 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60483635 |
Jul 1, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
148/438 ;
420/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C22C 21/16 20130101;
C22C 21/003 20130101; C22C 21/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
148/438 ;
420/530 |
International
Class: |
C22C 21/12 20060101
C22C021/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 9, 2002 |
JP |
2002-296268 |
Claims
1. An aluminum alloy for cutting processing, the aluminum alloy
consisting essentially of Cu: 1 to 6.5 mass %, Zn: 0.05 to 1 mass
%, Bi: 0.1 to 1 mass %, Sn: 0.1 to 1 mass %, B: 100 mass ppm or
less.
2. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
further including at least one element as a selective additional
element selected from the group consisting of Fe: 0.05 to 1 mass %,
Mg: 0.01 to 0.3 mass %, Si: 0.05 to 1 mass % and Ti: 0.01 to 0.5
mass %.
3. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 2,
wherein the Mg content is 0.01 to 0.1 mass %.
4. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
wherein the Cu content is 4 to 6 mass %.
5. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
wherein the Zn content is 0.1 to 0.5 mass %.
6. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
wherein the Bi content is 0.2 to 0.8 mass %.
7. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
wherein the Sn content is 0.2 to 0.8 mass %.
8. The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in claim 1,
wherein the B content is 3 to 10 mass %.
9. An aluminum alloy worked article made of the aluminum alloy for
cutting processing as recited in claim 1.
10. The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in claim 9,
wherein the aluminum alloy worked article is an extruded
article.
11. The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in claim 9,
wherein the aluminum alloy worked article is a cut article made by
cutting a raw material.
12. The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in claim 9,
wherein the aluminum alloy worked article has an anodic oxide
coating formed on a surface thereof.
Description
[0001] Priority is claimed to Japanese Patent Application No.
2002-296268, filed on Oct. 9, 2002, and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/483,635, filed on Jul. 1, 2003, the disclosure
of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application is an application filed under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 111(a) claiming the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e)(1) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/483,635, filed on Jul. 1, 2003, pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.111(b).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to an aluminum alloy for
cutting processing containing no Pb, and also related to an
aluminum alloy worked article made of the aforementioned aluminum
alloy.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] In cutting processing of aluminum alloy materials, a step of
disposing chips is required since continuous chips are generated
during the cutting processing. Also required is a step of
eliminating burrs which generate at corner portions of an article
during the turning processing or at a periphery of drilled holes
during the drill processing. Under the circumstances, it has been
required to provide an aluminum alloy excellent in cutting
processability and in breaking ability of chips which is capable of
reducing generation of burrs.
[0005] In order to enhance the cutting processability of an
aluminum alloy, conventionally, it has been performed to add Pb
which is a low-melting element to an aluminum alloy. One example of
such an aluminum alloy containing Pb, which is excellent in cutting
processability, is A2011 alloy (JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)
H4040). However, from the viewpoint of global environment
protection, it is preferable to avoid manufacturing and using such
an aluminum alloy containing Pb which is a harmful element.
Considering the above, for example, an aluminum alloy in which the
Pb content is controlled or an aluminum alloy to which Bi or Sn is
added in place of Pb has been developed (see, e.g., JP H2-85331 A
(claims 1 to 3), JP 2000-328168 A (claims 1 to 4) and JP
2001-240931 A (claims 1 to 4).
[0006] However, since enough cutting processability cannot be
obtained by the aforementioned non-Pb-containing aluminum alloys,
further improvement is expected. Furthermore, since cut aluminum
alloy materials may sometimes be subjected to anodic oxide coating
processing, it is also required to improve characteristics such as
coating creation efficiency other than cutting processability to
quickly create a uniform anodic oxide coating.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] In view of the aforementioned technical background, it is an
object of the present invention to provide an aluminum alloy
excellent in cutting processability containing no Pb and in coating
processability, and also to provide an aluminum alloy worked
article made of the aforementioned aluminum alloy.
[0008] In order to attain the aforementioned objects, the present
invention has the following structural features.
[0009] (1) An aluminum alloy for cutting processing, the aluminum
alloy consisting essentially of Cu: 1 to 6.5 mass %, Zn: 0.05 to 1
mass %, Bi: 0.1 to 1 mass %, Sn: 0.1 to 1 mass %, B: 100 mass ppm
or less.
[0010] (2) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
the aforementioned Item (1), further including at least one element
as a selective additional element selected from the group
consisting of Fe: 0.05 to 1 mass %, Mg: 0.01 to 0.3 mass %, Si:
0.05 to 1 mass % and Ti: 0.01 to 0.5 mass %.
[0011] (3) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
the aforementioned Item (2), wherein the Mg content is 0.01 to 0.1
mass %.
[0012] (4) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
any one of the aforementioned Items (1) to (3), wherein the Cu
content is 4 to 6 mass %.
[0013] (5) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
any one of the aforementioned Items (1) to (4), wherein the Zn
content is 0.1 to 0.5 mass %.
[0014] (6) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
any one of the aforementioned Items (1) to (5), wherein the Bi
content is 0.2 to 0.8 mass %.
[0015] (7) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
any one of the aforementioned Items (1) to (6), wherein the Sn
content is 0.2 to 0.8 mass %.
[0016] (8) The aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in
any one of the aforementioned Items (1) to (7), wherein the B
content is 3 to 10 mass %.
[0017] (9) An aluminum alloy worked article made of the aluminum
alloy for cutting processing as recited in any one of the
aforementioned Items (1) to (8).
[0018] (10) The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in the
aforementioned Item (9), wherein the aluminum alloy worked article
is an extruded article.
[0019] (11) The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in the
aforementioned Item (9), wherein the aluminum alloy worked article
is a cut article made by cutting a raw material.
[0020] (12) The aluminum alloy worked article as recited in any one
of the aforementioned Items (9) to (11), wherein the aluminum alloy
worked article has an anodic oxide coating formed on a surface
thereof.
[0021] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (1), excellent cutting
processability, mechanical characteristics and coating
processability can be obtained without adding Pb. Furthermore, the
aluminum alloy causes less abrasion and/or damage on a cutting
tool.
[0022] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (2), further enhanced cutting
processability can be obtained, and no special step for decreasing
the amount of inevitably contained Fe is required.
[0023] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (3), extremely excellent
strength and cutting processability can be obtained.
[0024] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (4), extremely excellent cutting
processability and mechanical characteristics can be obtained.
[0025] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (5), extremely excellent cutting
processability, mechanical characteristics and coating
processability can be obtained.
[0026] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (6), extremely excellent cutting
processability can be obtained.
[0027] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (7), extremely excellent cutting
processability can be obtained.
[0028] According to the aluminum alloy for cutting processing as
recited in the aforementioned Item (8), extremely excellent cutting
processability can be obtained.
[0029] According to the aluminum alloy worked article as recited in
the aforementioned Item (9), since the article is made of the
aluminum alloy for cutting processing as recited in any one of the
aforementioned Items (1) to (8), the article is excellent in
cutting processability, mechanical characteristics and coating
processability.
[0030] According to the aluminum alloy worked article as recited in
the aforementioned Item (10), the article is an extruded article
excellent in cutting processability, mechanical characteristics and
coating processability.
[0031] According to the aluminum alloy worked article as recited in
the aforementioned Item (11), the article is excellent in surface
quality because of the excellent cutting processability of the
material.
[0032] According to the aluminum alloy worked article as recited in
the aforementioned Item (12), the article is excellent in surface
quality because of the uniformly formed anodic oxide coating.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] Hereinafter, the reasons for adding each element in the
aluminum alloy for cutting processing according to the present
invention and the reasons for limiting the content thereof will be
detailed.
[0034] In the compositions of the aluminum alloy for cutting
processing, Cu, Zn, Bi, Sn and B are essential elements.
[0035] Cu is an element dissolved as solid dispersion in the
aluminum mother phase and also dispersed in the aluminum mother
phase as a deposited material such as CuAl.sub.2 created by
combining with Al, which improves the mechanical characteristics of
the alloy and enhances the cutting processability. Furthermore, the
synergistic effects with effects of another solid dispersion type
elements further enhance the aforementioned effects. If the content
of Cu is less than 1 mass %, the aforementioned effects become
poor. To the contrary, if the content exceeds 6.5 mass %, there is
a possibility that the corrosion resistance deteriorates.
Accordingly, the Cu content should fall within the range of 1 to
6.5 mass %. The preferable Cu content is 4 to 6 mass %.
[0036] Zn is an element dissolved as solid dispersion in the
aluminum mother phase and also dispersed in the aluminum mother
phase as deposited material such as MgZn.sub.2 created by combining
with Mg, which improves the mechanical characteristics of the alloy
and enhances the cutting processability. Furthermore, the
synergistic effects with effects of another solid dispersion type
elements further enhance the aforementioned effects. Furthermore,
if the Zn content falls within the range specified by the present
invention, the creation rate of an anodic oxide coating can be
increased. As a result, the aluminum alloy according to the present
invention can be preferably used as a product to be subjected to
anodizing for the purpose of improving the corrosion resistance,
the ornamentation, etc. If the Zn content is less than 0.05 mass %,
the aforementioned effects become poor. To the contrary, if the Zn
content exceeds 1 mass %, the creation rate of an anodic oxide
coating tends to be saturated. Accordingly, the Zn content should
fall within the range of 0.05 to 1 mass %. The preferable Zn
content is 0.1 to 0.5 mass %. More preferably, the content exceeds
0.2 mass % but not larger than 0.5 mass %.
[0037] Bi and Sn form a low melting Bi--Sn compound when Bi and Sn
coexist, and the compound disperses in the alloy mother phase. The
dispersed Bi--Sn compound is melted by heat generated during the
cutting processing, resulting in fusion embrittlement of the chips,
which enhances the chips breakability. The contents of these
elements should fall within the range of Bi: 0.1 to 1 mass % and
Sn: 0.1 to 1 mass %. If each content is less than the lower limit,
the aforementioned effects become poor. To the contrary, if each
content exceeds the upper limit, the casting characteristics
deteriorate remarkably. The preferable Bi content and Sn content
are Bi: 0.2 to 0.8 mass % and Sn: 0.2 to 0.8 mass %.
[0038] B has an effect of improving the cutting processability of
the alloy by fining the casting structure to thereby form fine
crystallized objects. The aforementioned effects can be obtained by
adding a small amount of B. If the B content exceeds 100 mass ppm,
a tool life may deteriorate due to the abrasion or the breakage of
the tool. Accordingly, the B content should be 100 mass ppm or
less. The preferable B content is 3 to 10 mass ppm.
[0039] In the aforementioned aluminum alloy for cutting processing,
for the purpose of further improving various characteristics of the
alloy, any one or two or more of the elements selected from the
group consisting of four (4) elements, Fe, Mg, Si and Ti, can be
added to the basic compositions of the aluminum alloy containing
the aforementioned five (5) essential elements.
[0040] Fe can disperse Si, which is effective in breakability of
chips, as a single particle since a relatively small amount of Fe
can be combined with Si when Fe coexists with Si, which enables
excellent breakability of the chips. Furthermore, although Fe is an
element inevitably contained in an aluminum alloy, if the Fe
content falls within the range of 0.05 to 1 mass %, no special step
for decreasing the Fe content is required since the content is an
allowable amount for a normal manufacturing quality. An attempt to
decrease the Fe content less than 0.05 mass % causes an increased
cost. To the contrary, if the Fe content exceeds 1 mass %, a
casting surface of a casting article such as a billet deteriorates,
and the amount of the compounds with Si increases, causing
decreased Si single particles, which in turn causes a deterioration
of the breakability of chips. The preferable Fe amount is 0.05 to
0.5 mass %.
[0041] Mg is an element dissolved as solid dispersion in the alloy
mother phase and dispersed in the mother phase by combining with
coexisting Cu or Si, which further improves the strength and the
cutting processability of the aluminum alloy. If the Mg content is
less than 0.01 mass %, the aforementioned effects become poor. To
the contrary, if the Mg content exceeds 0.3 mass %, the
hot-workability deteriorates. Accordingly, the Mg content should be
0.01 to 0.3 mass %. The preferable Mg content is 0.01 to 0.1 mass
%.
[0042] Si, except for an amount required to form a compound, is
dispersed in the alloy mother phase as single particles since only
a small amount of Si is dissolved into an aluminum, which enhances
the strength and the cutting processability of the aluminum alloy.
Especially, Si forms Mg.sub.2Si by the coexistence with Mg to
increase the strength. Furthermore, dispersion of eutectic Si
further enhances the aforementioned cutting processability
improving effect. If the Si content is less than 0.05 mass %, the
aforementioned effect becomes poor. To the contrary, if the Si
content exceeds 1 mass %, although the cutting processability can
be improved, abrasion or damage of a cutting tool becomes marked,
resulting in a short tool life and deteriorated hot-workability.
Accordingly, the Si content should be 0.05 to 1 mass %. The
preferable Si content is 0.05 to 0.5 mass %.
[0043] Ti fines an ingot texture and forms fine crystallized
objects by the recrystallization restrain effect, which improves
the mechanical characteristics and the cutting processability of
the aluminum alloy. Furthermore, Ti has an effect of improving the
corrosion resistance. If the Ti content is less than 0.01 mass %,
the recrystallization depression effect deteriorates, causing, for
example, an easy formation of rough recrystallization grains on a
surface of an extruded article, which destabilizes the chips
breakability in the cross-sectional direction. Furthermore, if the
Ti content is less than 0.01 mass %, mechanical characteristics
improving effect and corrosion resistance improving effect become
poor. To the contrary, if the Ti content exceeds 0.5 mass %, there
is a possibility that the casting workability of an extruding
billet or the like deteriorates. Accordingly, the Ti content should
fall within the range of 0.01 to 0.5 mass %. The preferable Ti
content is 0.01 to 0.1 mass %.
[0044] If at least any one or plural elements to be arbitrarily
selected from the aforementioned four (4) elements are added to the
aforementioned essential five (5) elements, corresponding effects
can be obtained.
[0045] The remaining compositions of the aluminum alloy for cutting
processing according to the present invention are, for example,
inevitable impurities and Al.
[0046] The aluminum alloy for cutting processing according to the
present invention can be melted, cast into an ingot such as a slab
or a billet, subjected to a surface cutting, soaking and then
formed into a predetermined shape by plastic processing such as an
extrusion or rolling by a common procedure. The heat treating,
aging treating, washing, etc., in the aforementioned steps can also
be performed by a common procedure. The formed aluminum alloy
material can be used widely as various products via cutting or
anodizing processing as needed. The application examples include
optical equipment parts such as lens frames, lens spacing tubes
(camera cones), camera tripod fixing screws, office automation
equipment parts or electronics device parts such as flanges for
magnet rolls, square nuts for connectors or external screw tubes.
The aforementioned optical device parts can be manufactured by, for
example, extruding an aluminum alloy ingot into a bar-shaped
extruded article or an annular-shaped extruded article, then
cutting off these extruded articles and subjecting to cutting
operation and thereafter subjecting to anodizing treatment.
[0047] The aluminum alloy worked article according to the present
invention is an article obtained by forming the aforementioned
aluminum alloy for cutting processing into a predetermined
configuration, or further forming an anodic oxide coating thereon
for the purpose of improving the corrosion resistance and
ornamentation. As mentioned above, since the material alloy is
excellent in mechanical characteristics, cutting processability and
surface processing workability due to the chemical compositions,
the aluminum alloy worked article can be preferably used as the
aforementioned various applications.
[0048] The aluminum alloy worked article can be obtained by forming
the material alloy by any method. Examples include a cut article
formed by cutting an extruded article or a raw material and a
rolled article. The kind of material to be subjected to cutting
processing is not limited to a specific one and can be any material
such as an extruded material or a rolled material. At the time of
cutting processing, generation of burrs can be suppressed,
resulting in easy processing, which in turn results in a worked
article with excellent surface quality.
[0049] In the aluminum alloy worked article, an anodic oxide
coating can be formed on a surface by anodizing the worked article
after the forming processing. Since the worked article is formed by
material alloy excellent in coat processing workability, a uniform
coating can be formed quickly. Thus, effects due to the coating
formation such as an improvement of the corrosion resistance and/or
the ornamentation can be obtained at the maximum, resulting in a
worked article with excellent surface quality. The conditions of
anodizing are not limited to specific ones, and any known method
can be employed.
EXAMPLES
[Test A]
[0050] Aluminum alloys having compositions Nos. A1 to A30 shown in
Table 1 were prepared. The alloy Nos. A1 to A21 according to the
compositions of the present invention includes Cu, Zn, Bi, Sn, B
and the balance being Al and impurities. The alloy Nos. A22 to A30
are comparative compositions.
[0051] The aluminum alloys Nos. A1 to A30 shown in Table 1 were
used as casting materials, and extruding billets each having a
diameter of 200 mm were cast by a common procedure and then
subjected to a homogenizing treatment. Thereafter, the billets were
extruded into bars each having a diameter of 30 mm. Subsequently,
these bars were subjected to a solution treatment for 5 hours at
495.degree. C., and then subjected to water quenching. Then, these
bars were drawn into 25 mm in diameter to there by obtain T3
processed materials. Further, the obtained materials were subjected
to artificial ageing processing for 14 hours at 130.degree. C. to
thereby obtain T8 processed materials. These T8 processed materials
were used as test pieces.
[0052] On each obtained test piece, mechanical characteristics of
0.2% proof stress, tensile strength and elongation after fracture
were measured, and cutting processability, abrasion of a tool,
corrosion resistance and coating processability were examined
according to the below-mentioned method. Then, these results were
compared with characteristics of an extruded article of A2011 alloy
(JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) H4040) containing Pb and
relatively evaluated by the following four grades.
.circleincircle.: Excellent
.largecircle.: Equivalent
.DELTA.: Slightly inferior
X: Inferior
[Cutting Processability]
[0053] Each test piece was subjected to wet cutting at cutting
speed: 150 m/min., feed rate: 0.2 mm/rev., cut depth: 1.0 mm. Then,
the breakability of chips is examined by the number of chips/100 g,
and the cutting processability was evaluated by the breakability of
chips.
[Abrasion of Tool]
[0054] Each test piece was continuously subjected to dry cutting
using high-speed steel single edge byte for five minutes under the
conditions of cutting speed: 200 m/min., feed rate: 0.2 mm/rev.,
cut depth: 3 mm. Then, the abrasion width of the flank of the byte
was measured.
[Corrosion Resistance]
[0055] Neutral salt spray test based on JIS (Japanese Industrial
Standards) Z2371 was performed, and the corrosion resistance of
each test piece was evaluated by the mass loss by 1,000 hours
spray.
[Coating Processability]
[0056] Each piece was subjected to anodic oxidation coating
processing by a common procedure, and the coating processability
was evaluated by the thickness of the created anodic oxidation
coating.
[0057] These results are also shown in Table 1. TABLE-US-00001
TABLE 1 Characteristics Chemical compositions(B: Corro- Mechan-
mass ppm, other: mass %, balance: Al) Cutting sion Tool Coating
ical Alloy No. Impur- process- resis- abra- process- charac- (An)
Cu Zn Bi Sn B Fe Mg Si Ti Pb ities ability tance sion ability
teristics Inven- 1 1.0 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.largecircle. .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. tive 2 4.0 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. com- 3 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. posi- 4 6.0 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. tions 5 6.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- --
-- .ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 6 5.5 0.1 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 7 5.5 0.3 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 8 5.5 0.4 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 9 5.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 10 5.5 0.2 0.1 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 11 5.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 12 5.5 0.2 1.0 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 13 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.1 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 14 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.8 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 15 5.5 0.2 0.8 1.0 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 16 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 3 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 17 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 5 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 18 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 20 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 19 5.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 20 5.5 0.2 0.2 0.5 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. 21 5.5 0.2 0.5 0.2 10 -- -- -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. Com- 22 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.8 10 -- -- -- --
-- .ltoreq.0.05 X .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. X
para- 23 7.0 0.2 0.5 0.8 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.largecircle. X .DELTA. .DELTA. .largecircle. tive 24 5.5 0.03 0.5
0.8 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .DELTA. com- 25 5.5 1.1 0.5 0.8 10 --
-- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .DELTA. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. posi- 26 5.5 0.2 0.08 0.8 10 -- -- --
-- -- .ltoreq.0.05 X .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.DELTA. tions 27 5.5 0.2 1.1 0.8 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.largecircle. .DELTA. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. 28
5.5 0.2 0.8 0.08 10 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 X .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .DELTA. 29 5.5 0.2 0.8 1.1 10 -- -- --
-- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle. .DELTA. .largecircle. .DELTA.
.largecircle. 30 0.8 0.2 0.8 0.5 110 -- -- -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.largecircle. .largecircle. X .DELTA. .largecircle. A2011 5.5 --
0.6 -- 10 0.2 -- 0.15 0.02 0.6 .ltoreq.0.05 .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
[0058] From the results shown in Table 1, it has been confirmed
that (1) the aluminum alloy for cutting processing according to the
present invention has excellent cutting processability and
mechanical strength equivalent to or superior to A2011 alloy
without adding Pb, (2) abrasion of a tool due to cutting processing
can be suppressed, and (3) the aluminum alloy has excellent
corrosion resistance and anodic oxidation coating
processability.
[Test B]
[0059] Aluminum alloys having compositions Nos. B1 to B26 shown in
Table 2 were prepared. In the alloy Nos. B1 to B11, four optional
elements (Fe, Mg, Si, Ti) are added to the basic compositions of
alloy No. A3. In the alloy Nos. B12 to B22, four optional elements
are added to the basic compositions of alloy No. A19. The alloy
Nos. B23 to B26 are comparative compositions.
[0060] These aluminum alloys were used as casting materials, and
test pieces were manufactured by the same method as the
aforementioned test A. Then, on each test piece, mechanical
characteristics, cutting processability, abrasion of a tool,
corrosion resistance and coating processability were examined in
the same method as Test A. Then, the results of the alloy Nos. B1
to B11, B23 to B26 were compared with the result of the alloy No.
A3 as a comparative material, and the results of the alloy Nos. B12
to B22 were compared with the result of the alloy No. A19 as a
comparative material. These relative evaluations are shown by the
following four grades.
.circleincircle.: Excellent
.largecircle.: Equivalent
.DELTA.: Slightly inferior
X: Inferior
[0061] These results are also shown in Table 2. TABLE-US-00002
TABLE 2 Characteristics Chemical compositions(B: Corro- Mechan-
mass ppm, other: mass %, balance: Al) Cutting sion Tool Coating
ical Alloy No. Impur- process- resis- abra- process- charac- (Bn)
Cu Zn Bi Sn B Fe Mg Si Ti ities ability tance sion ability
teristics Etc Inven- 1 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 0.2 -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. No tive 2 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 0.5 -- -- --
.ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. cost up com- 3 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10 --
0.05 -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. posi- 4 5.5 0.2 0.8
0.5 10 -- 0.3 -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. tions 5 5.5 0.2 0.8
0.5 10 -- -- 0.10 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 6 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
-- -- 0.5 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 7 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
-- -- -- 0.02 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 8 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
-- -- -- 0.1 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 9 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
0.2 -- 0.15 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 10 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
-- 0.05 0.15 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 11 5.5 0.2 0.8 0.5 10
0.2 0.05 0.15 0.02 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 12 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
0.1 -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. No 13 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
0.4 -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. cost up 14 4.5 0.3 0.5
0.8 6 -- 0.1 -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 15 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- 0.2 -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 16 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- -- 0.2 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 17 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- -- 0.4 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 18 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- -- -- 0.04 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 19 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- -- -- 0.2 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 20 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
0.3 -- 0.3 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 21 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
-- 0.1 0.2 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. 22 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 6
0.2 0.2 0.2 0.02 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. .circleincircle. Com- 23 5.5 0.3 0.8
0.5 10 1.2 -- -- -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .DELTA.
.largecircle. .DELTA. .largecircle. Casting para- surface tive
deteriorates com- 24 5.5 0.3 0.8 0.5 10 -- 0.4 -- -- .ltoreq.0.05
.circleincircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.circleincircle. Workability posi- deteriorates 25 5.5 0.3 0.8 0.5
10 -- -- 1.2 -- .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .DELTA. .DELTA.
.DELTA. .circleincircle. Workability tions deteriorates 26 5.5 0.3
0.8 0.5 10 -- -- -- 0.6 .ltoreq.0.05 .circleincircle. .largecircle.
.DELTA. .largecircle. .circleincircle. Casting deteriorates
[0062] From the results shown in Table 2, it has been confirmed
that cutting processability and mechanical characteristics can be
further improved by adding Fe, Mg, Si, Ti to the basic
compositions. Furthermore, according to the alloys Nos. B1, B2, B12
and B13, it has been confirmed that if the Fe content falls within
the range as defined by the present invention an aluminum alloy for
cutting processing can be obtained without no special step.
[0063] To the contrary, in the alloy No. B23, the casting surface
quality of the cast billet was poor, and the quality of the
extruded test piece was also poor. In the alloys Nos. B24 and B25,
the workability at the time of extrusion was poor, causing great
difficulty to form. In addition, in the alloy No. B25, the abrasion
of the cutting tool was heavy. In the alloy No. B26, the casting
workability f the billet was poor, causing great difficulty to cast
a billet.
[0064] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein
are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there
is no intent, in the use of such terms and expressions, of
excluding any of the equivalents of the features shown and
described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various
modifications are possible within the scope of the invention
claimed.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0065] The aluminum alloy according to the present invention is
excellent in cutting processability, mechanical characteristics and
coating processability, and therefore the aluminum alloy can be
widely used as materials for various aluminum articles.
Furthermore, since the aluminum alloy does not contain Pb, it is
recommended to use it from the view point of environmental
conservation.
* * * * *