Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same
View Patent ↗Aluminum alloy products about 4 inches thick or less that possesses the ability to achieve, when solution heat treated, quenched, and artificially aged, and in parts made from the products, an improved combination of strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, the alloy consisting essentially of: about 6.8 to about 8.5 wt. % Zn, about 1.5 to about 2.00 wt. % Mg, about 1.75 to about 2.3 wt. % Cu; about 0.05 to about 0.3 wt. % Zr, less than about 0.1 wt. % Mn, less than about 0.05 wt. % Cr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities and a method for making same. The instantly disclosed alloys are useful in making structural members for commercial airplanes including, but not limited to, upper wing skins and stringers, spar caps, spar webs and ribs of either built-up or integral construction.
1. An aluminum alloy consisting essentially of:
7.5-7.9 wt. % Zn;
2.05-2.20 wt. % Cu;
1.6-1.75 wt. % Mg;
0.05-0.3 wt. % of Zr;
optionally up to 0.25 wt % of at least one of Hf, Sc, and V;
less than 0.1 wt. % Mn;
less than 0.05 wt. % Cr;
the balance aluminum and impurities.