Constellium has been granted a patent for a thin metal sheet made from a recrystallized aluminum alloy, with a thickness of 0.25 to 12 mm. The alloy composition includes specific percentages of copper, magnesium, manganese, and other elements, intended for use in aeronautical applications like fuselage panels and fiber metal laminates. GlobalData’s report on Constellium gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Constellium, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Constellium's grant share as of July 2024 was 48%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Thin aluminum alloy sheet for aeronautical applications

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Constellium SE

The granted patent US12065720B2 describes a thin sheet primarily composed of a recrystallized aluminum alloy, with a thickness ranging from 0.25 mm to 12 mm. The alloy's composition includes specific percentages of copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and other elements, with the Cu content set between 3.4% and 4.0% by weight and the Mg content between 0.5% and 0.8% by weight. The patent outlines a precise Cu/Mg ratio of 5 to 5.5, and limits the presence of elements such as iron (Fe), silicon (Si), zirconium (Zr), silver (Ag), and zinc (Zn) to ensure optimal material properties. The claims also detail the mechanical properties of the sheet in the T8 temper, including specific requirements for UPE, crack growth rate, and density.

Additionally, the patent describes a comprehensive manufacturing process for the thin sheet, which involves producing a liquid metal bath with the specified alloy composition, followed by casting, homogenizing, hot and optional cold rolling, solution heat treatment, controlled stretching, and aging. The aging process is defined by specific temperature and time parameters to enhance the material's properties. The patent also includes variations in the alloy's composition and processing conditions, allowing for tailored properties suitable for applications such as fuselage sheets in aerospace. Overall, the patent provides a detailed framework for producing a high-performance aluminum alloy sheet with specific mechanical characteristics and manufacturing methods.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.