IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,345,980
Granted Patent B2
US 11,345,980 · App. 16/530,830 · Granted May 31, 2022

Recycled aluminum alloys from manufacturing scrap with cosmetic appeal

Inventors: Brian M. Gable (San Jose, CA); Herng-Jeng Jou (San Jose, CA); Weiming Huang (State College, PA); Graeme W. Paul (Mountain House, CA); William A. Counts (Sunnyvale, CA); Eric W. Hamann (Santa Clara, CA); Katie L. Sassaman (San Jose, CA); Abhijeet Misra (Sunnyvale, CA); Zechariah D. Feinberg (San Francisco, CA); James A. Yurko (Saratoga, CA); Brian P. Demers (Los Gatos, CA); Rafael Yu (Cupertino, CA); Anuj Datta Roy (San Jose, CA); Susannah P. Calvin (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
C22C21/00C22C1/026C22F1/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,345,980
App. No.
16/530,830
Granted
May 31, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure provides an aluminum alloy may include iron (Fe) of at least 0.10 wt %, silicon (Si) of at least 0.35 wt %, and magnesium (Mg) of at least 0.45 wt %, manganese (Mn) in amount of at least 0.005 wt %, and additional elements, the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities.

Claims (216)

1. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities,

wherein the alloy is in the form of an extruded part and has an average grain size equal to or less than 160 μm.

2. The aluminum alloy of claim 1 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

3. The aluminum alloy of claim 1 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

4. The aluminum alloy of claim 1 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

5. The aluminum alloy of claim 1 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

6. The aluminum alloy of claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a yield strength of at least 205 MPa and a tensile strength of at least 240 MPa.

7. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) extruding the casted alloy to form an extrusion; and

(e) fabricating the extrusion to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 1 .

8. The process of claim 7 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

9. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities,

wherein the alloy is in the form of a sheet and has an average grain size equal to or less than 100 μm.

10. The aluminum alloy of claim 9 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

11. The aluminum alloy of claim 9 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

12. The aluminum alloy of claim 9 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

13. The aluminum alloy of claim 9 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

14. The aluminum alloy of claim 9 , wherein the recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 210 MPa and a tensile strength of 230 MPa after sheet rolling.

15. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) rolling the casted alloy to form a sheet; and

(e) fabricating the sheet to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 9 .

16. The process of claim 15 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

17. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities, wherein the alloy is in the form of an extruded part and has a yield strength of at least 205 MPa and a tensile strength of at least 240 MPa.

18. The aluminum alloy of claim 17 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

19. The aluminum alloy of claim 17 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

20. The aluminum alloy of claim 17 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

21. The aluminum alloy of claim 17 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

22. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) extruding the casted alloy to form an extrusion; and

(e) fabricating the extrusion to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 17 .

23. The process of claim 22 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

24. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities, wherein the alloy is in the form of a sheet and has a yield strength of at least 210 MPa and a tensile strength of at least 230 MPa.

25. The aluminum alloy of claim 24 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

26. The aluminum alloy of claim 24 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

27. The aluminum alloy of claim 24 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

28. The aluminum alloy of claim 24 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

29. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) rolling the casted alloy to form a sheet; and

(e) fabricating the sheet to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 24 .

30. The process of claim 29 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

31. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities,

wherein the alloy is in the form of an extruded part and has a hardness of at least 80 Vickers.

32. The alloy of claim 31 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

33. The alloy of claim 31 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

34. The aluminum alloy of claim 31 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

35. The aluminum alloy of claim 31 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

36. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) extruding the casted alloy to form an extrusion; and

(e) fabricating the extrusion to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 31 .

37. The process of claim 36 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

38. An aluminum alloy comprising:

iron (Fe) in an amount of 0.10 wt % to 0.35 wt %;

silicon (Si) in an amount of 0.43 wt % to 0.80 wt %;

magnesium (Mg) in an amount of 0.45 wt % to 0.65 wt %;

manganese (Mn) in an amount 0.005 to 0.060 wt %;

copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.040 wt %;

additional non-aluminum (Al) elements in an amount not exceeding 3.0 wt %; and

the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities,

wherein the alloy is in the form of a sheet and has a hardness of at least 75 Vickers.

39. The aluminum alloy of claim 38 , wherein

magnesium (Mg) is in an amount of at least 0.56 wt %.

40. The aluminum alloy of claim 38 , further comprising titanium (Ti) from 0 to 0.10 wt %.

41. The aluminum alloy of claim 38 , further comprising non-aluminum elements selected from:

chromium (Cr) from 0 to 0.10 wt %,

zinc (Zn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

gallium (Ga) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

tin (Sn) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

vanadium (V) from 0 to 0.20 wt %,

calcium (Ca) from 0 to 0.001 wt %,

sodium (Na) from 0 to 0.002 wt %,

boron (B) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

zirconium (Zr) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lithium (Li) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

cadmium (Cd) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

lead (Pb) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

nickel (Ni) from 0 to 0.01 wt %,

phosphorous (P) from 0 to 0.01 wt %, and

combinations thereof.

42. The aluminum alloy of claim 38 , wherein copper (Cu) in an amount from 0.010 to 0.020 wt %.

43. A process for recycling manufacturing scrap, the process comprising:

(a) obtaining a first recycled aluminum alloy from a first source and a second recycled aluminum alloy from a second source;

(b) melting the first and second recycled aluminum alloys to form a melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy;

(c) casting the melted recycled 6000 series aluminum alloy to form a casted alloy;

(d) rolling the casted alloy to form a sheet; and

(e) fabricating the sheet to produce the aluminum alloy of claim 38 .

44. The process of claim 43 , wherein the step of melting comprises removing oxides from the first and second recycled aluminum alloys.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2020
From: DEMERS, BRIAN P.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 051743/0641 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2020
From: GABLE, BRIAN M.; JOU, HERNG-JENG; HUANG, WEIMING; PAUL, GRAEME W.; SASSAMAN, KATIE L.; YURKO, JAMES A.; COUNTS, WILLIAM A.; HAMANN, ERIC W.; MISRA, ABHIJEET; FEINBERG, ZECHARIAH D.; YU, RAFAEL; ROY, ANUJ DATTA; CALVIN, SUSANNAH P.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 051638/0251 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62716606 · Aug 9, 2018
Related Publication 20200048744A1 · Feb 13, 2020