Metal sheet and method for its treatment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016017476-A1
Application number	US-201514802453-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 17, 2015
Priority date	Jul 18, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for treating sheet metal is disclosed in which a material containing at least one alloying element is applied onto a first area of at least one surface of the metal sheet. A second area of the surface is kept free of the material. The metal sheet is subsequently heat treated in order to diffuse the alloying element into the first area of the metal sheet. The temperature of the first area is lower than the melting temperature of the metal sheet during the diffusion.

First claim

1 .- 13 . (canceled)

14 . A method for treating sheet metal comprising:
applying a material onto a first area of a surface on a metal sheet such that a second area of the surface is kept free of the material, wherein material contains at least one alloying element, and subsequently heat-treating the metal sheet such that the alloying element diffuses into the first area of the metal sheet; wherein the temperature of the first area is lower than the melting temperature of the metal sheet during diffusion.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the heat treatment is carried out in a furnace.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising forming the metal sheet is carried out in a cooling phase that follows the diffusion process.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising cooling the metal sheet upon contact with a forming tool.

18 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the material comprises an amorphous mass.

19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein the material is applied to the metal sheet by a process selected from the group consisting of gravure printing, screen printing, or spraying.

20 . The method according to one of claims 14 , wherein the material comprises a solid that is pre-formed into a shape corresponding to the first area, and the method further comprise applying the solid onto the metal sheet.

21 . A product assembled of several components, wherein the components comprise a metal sheet treated in a method according to claim 14 , and at least one attachment part that is fastened on the second area of the metal sheet.

22 . A product assembled of several components, wherein the components comprise a metal sheet treated in a method according to claim 14 , and at least one attachment part that abuts on the first area of the metal sheet, wherein a difference between the value of the standard potential of the second area and the standard potential of the attachment part is greater than a difference between the value of the standard potential of the first area and the standard potential of the attachment part.

23 . A metal sheet treated in a method according to claim 14 , wherein the first area has a higher load characteristic than the second area.

24 . The metal sheet according to claim 23 , wherein the metal sheet consists essentially of a steel sheet, and the alloying element is selected from the group consists of carbon, nitrogen, manganese, silicone, nickel, chrome or a combination thereof.

25 . The metal sheet according to claim 23 , wherein the metal sheet consists essentially of an aluminum sheet, and the alloying element is selected from the group consists of copper, zinc, magnesium, silicone, manganese, lithium or a combination thereof.

26 . A product assembled of several components, wherein the components comprise the metal sheet according to claim 23 , and at least one attachment part that is fastened on the second area of the metal sheet.

27 . A product assembled of several components, wherein the components comprise the metal sheet according to claim 23 , and at least one attachment part that abuts on the first area of the metal sheet, wherein a difference between the value of the standard potential of the second area and the standard potential of the attachment part is greater than a difference between the value of the standard potential of the first area and the standard potential of the attachment part.

28 . The product according to claim 27 , wherein the metal sheet is coated at least along a boundary between the first area and the second area.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Inc

Inventors

• Baumgart Hartmut
• Sanders Ronald

Classifications

• C23C10/28 Primary

  using solids, e.g. powders, pastes · CPC title

• B41M1/10

  Intaglio printing {; Gravure printing} · CPC title

• C23C8/66

  of ferrous surfaces · CPC title

• C23C10/60

  After-treatment · CPC title

• C23C8/72

  more than one element being applied in one step · CPC title