A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WROUGHT METAL PLATE PRODUCT HAVING A GRADIENT IN ENGINEERING PROPERTIES

摘要

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a heat-treatable wrought metal plate product having a length, width and thickness direction, and having a gradient in engineering properties along at least one dimension of length or width direction of the plate product, comprising the steps of: a) providing a wrought metal plate product selected from a rolled, extruded or forged product, b) subjecting the plate product to a solution heat treatment, and c) rapidly cooling the plate product, d) ageing the cooled product comprising heat treating for time to arrive at different tempers across at least one dimension in a length or width direction of the plate product, said heat treating comprising heating the plate to raise temperature of the plate to temperature T1 at or above ambient temperature, and applying to the heated plate a temperature gradient between temperature T2 and T3, wherein T2>T1 and T2>T3, wherein T3 is at or above ambient temperature, across at least one length or width or thickness direction of the plate by applying a controlled heat- input into the plate from one side of the plate product to temperature T2 and a controlled cooling to temperature T3 from the plate product at the opposite side of the controlled heat- input, and ageing the product plate while applying the temperature gradient between T2 and T3.