HEAT EXCHANGER INCORPORATING A ROLLED ALUMINUM ALLOY
A heat exchanger incorporating at least one component made from a rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of Si 0.2% to 1.3%, Mg 0.3% to 1.3%, Cu up to 0.80%, Fe 0.05% to 1.0%, Mn 0.05% to 0.70%, optionally one or two elements selected from the group 0.05-0.35% Zr and 0.04-0.35% Cr, Zn up to 0.25%, Ti up to 0.25%, balance unavoidable impurities and aluminium, and wherein the Fe/Mn ratio is <1.90.
1 . A heat exchanger incorporating at least one component made from a rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy having a composition, in wt. %, of
Si 0.2% to 1.3%,
Mg 0.3% to 1.3%,
Cu up to 0.80%,
Fe 0.05% to 1.0%,
Mn 0.05% to 0.70%,
optionally one or two elements selected from the group 0.05-0.35% Zr and 0.04-0.35% Cr,
Zn up to 0.25%,
Ti up to 0.25%,
balance unavoidable impurities and aluminium, and wherein the Fe/Mn ratio is <1.90.
2 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Fe-content of maximum 0.8%.
3 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mn-content of maximum 0.50%.
4 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Si-content of maximum 0.80%.
5 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mg-content of at least 0.40%.
6 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Mg-content of not more than 0.9%.
7 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Cu-content of up to 0.4%.
8 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has been homogenized.
9 . A heat exchanger according to claim 8 , wherein the 6xxx-series core alloy has been homogenized for up to 48 hours at a temperature in a range of 525° C. to 600° C.
10 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a Fe/Mn ratio of <1.80.
11 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a first side and a second side, and at least one clad layer on the first side or the second side.
12 . A heat exchanger according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one clad layer is made from an alloy selected from the group consisting of a 1xxx, 4xxx, and 7xxx-series aluminium alloy.
13 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is non-clad.
14 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy forms a base plate, a header or a side support of the heat exchanger.
15 . A heat exchanger according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 12 mm and forms the base plate, the header or the side support of the heat exchanger.
16 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in a fully annealed O-temper.
17 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in a H1X-temper or H2X-temper.
18 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one component made from the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy is provided in an F-temper.
19 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is an automotive heat exchanger.
20 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator, a condenser, an evaporator, an oil cooler, an inter cooler, a charge air cooler or a heater core.
21 . A method of use of a rolled aluminium alloy as defined in claim 1 , comprising forming the alloy into a component in a heat exchanger, as a base plate, a header or a side support in said heat exchanger.
22 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.50% Fe.
23 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.40% Mn.
24 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has maximum 0.60% Si.
25 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has not more than 0.8% Mg.
26 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy Fe/Mn ratio is <1.75.
27 . A heat exchanger according to claim 1 , wherein the rolled 6xxx-series aluminium alloy has
Fe maximum 0.50%,
Mn maximum 0.40%,
Si maximum 0.60%,
Mg at least 0.40 to not more than 0.8%,
Fe/Mn ratio of <1.75.