Claims
- 1. A process for forming a structure of aluminium components, which process comprises pre-treating aluminium sheet to produce an inorganic non-metallic surface coating thereon, said surface coating being a chemical conversion coating or a deposited coating of the no-rinse type, forming the pre-treated sheet to produce components of desired shapes, applying adhesive to the components and securing the components together by means of the adhesive.
- 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface coating contains at least 10% by weight of chromium.
- 3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating weight lies between 0.02 and 0.7 g/m.sup.2.
- 4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an epoxide adhesive.
- 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface coating extends over the whole of the aluminium sheet.
- 6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheet is at least 0.7 mm thick.
- 7. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aluminium sheet is from 0.7 to 2 mm thick.
- 8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure forms the load bearing structure of a motor vehicle.
- 9. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein prior to forming there is applied to the pre-treated sheet a press lubricant which is compatible with the adhesive.
- 10. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of securing the components together by means of an adhesive is performed in the presence of residual press lubricant.
- 11. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pre-treated sheet coated with press lubricant is stored for at least 48 hours prior to the forming step.
- 12. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the components are additionally spot-welded together.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
8312616 |
May 1983 |
GBX |
|
Parent Case Info
This patent application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 186666 filed Apr. 20, 1988, which is itself a continuation of Ser. No. 607260 filed May 4, 1984 and now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3843417 |
Ohbu |
Oct 1974 |
|
4202709 |
Shibamoni |
May 1980 |
|
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
607260 |
May 1984 |
|
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
186666 |
Apr 1988 |
|