SCANDIUM CONTAINING ALUMINUM ALLOY FIREARM

Firearms (20) having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19 % elongation's, and 7 to 10 % reduction areas, and a method for treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0.05 % to 0.15 % scandium, 7.5 % to 8.3 % zinc, 1.6 % to 2.2 % magnesium, 1.6 % to 2.0 % copper, 0.02 % to 0.04 % chromium, 0.05 % to 0.15 % zirconium, and 87 to 90 % aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875 DEG F for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250 DEG F for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool. Firearms having scandium containing aluminum alloy components having alloying elements including light weight metals, such as magnesium, chromium, copper and zinc, heavier metals, such as zirconium, and other rare earth metals. The components have yield strengths of 82 to 100 KSI, tensile strengths of 88 to 106 KSI, 12 to 19 % elongation's, and 7 to 10 % reduction areas, and a method for heat treating the scandium containing aluminum alloy. The alloy is composed of 0.05 % to 0.15 % scandium, 7.5 % to 8.3 % zinc, 1.6 % to 2.2 % magnesium, 1.6 % to 2.0 % copper, 0.02 % to 0.04 % chromium, 0.05 % to 0.15 % zirconium, and 87 to 90 % aluminum. A method for making the components involves exposure to solution heat treatment of 875 DEG F for an hours or two, followed by water quench, natural aging at ambient temperature for 24 to 72 hours, artificial aging at 250 DEG F for 24 hours, and allowed to air cool. La présente invention concerne des armes à feu comprenant des composants en alliage d'aluminium contenant du scandium. Ces composants présentent des éléments d'alliage comprenant des métaux légers, tels que le magnésium, le chrome, le cuivre et le zinc, des métaux plus lourds, tels que le zirconium, ainsi que d'autres métaux des terres rares. Lesdits composants présentent des limites d'élasticité allant de 82 à 100 KSI, des résistances à la traction allant de 88 à 106 KSI, des zones d'allongement de 12 à 19 % et des zones de réduction de 7 à 10 %. La présente invention concerne également un procédé de traitement thermique dudit alliage d'aluminium contenant du scand