(19) |
 |
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(11) |
EP 1 359 232 A3 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
(88) |
Date of publication A3: |
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02.01.2004 Bulletin 2004/01 |
(43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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05.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/45 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 30.01.1998 |
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(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
(30) |
Priority: |
31.01.1997 US 36329
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(62) |
Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
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98903777.5 / 0981653 |
(71) |
Applicant: Pechiney Rolled Products, LLC |
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Ravenswood, WV 26164 (US) |
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(72) |
Inventors: |
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- Cho, Alex
Richmond, VA 23233 (US)
- Skillingberg, Michael
Richmond, VA 23225 (US)
- Greene, Richard
Hinsdale, IL 60521 (US)
- Niedzinski, Michael
Park Ridge, IL 60068 (US)
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(74) |
Representative: Mougeot, Jean-Claude |
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PECHINEY, 217, cours Lafayette 69451 Lyon Cedex 06 69451 Lyon Cedex 06 (FR) |
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(54) |
Method of improving fracture toughness in aluminium-lithium alloys |
(57) An aluminum-lithium alloy is processed with controlled amounts of copper, lithium,
manganese and zirconium to produce a product having improved fracture toughness in
the short longitudinal (S-L) direction and acceptable strength in the short transverse
(ST) direction.