Aluminum alloy product having improved combinations of strength and corrosion resistance properties and method for producing the same

摘要

There is disclosed a method for producing an aluminum alloy product and the resulting product having improved combinations of strength and corrosion resistance. The method includes providing an alloy consisting essentially of about 6-16% zinc, about 1.5-4.5% magnesium, about 1-3% cooper, one or more elements selected from zirconium, chromium, manganese, titanium, vanadium and hafnium, the total of said elements not exceeding about 1%, the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy is then solution heat treated; precipitation hardened to increase its strength to a level exceeding the as-solution heat treated strength level by at least about 30% of the difference between as- solution heat treated strength and peak strength; subjected to treatment at a sufficient temperature or temperatures for improving its corrosion resistance properties; and again precipitation hardened to raise its yield strength and produce a high strength, highly corrosion resistant alloy product.