Advanced Aluminum Alloys from Rapidly Solidified Powders

Abstract

Abstract : Advanced aluminum alloys are to be developed that will provide major payoffs for important new aircraft, spacecraft, and missile systems in the next decade. Payoffs will result from weight savings of structural components which, in turn, lead to increased range, payload, service life, and decreased life- cycle cost. Recently conducted feasibility and design tradeoff studies provide a basis for selecting certain property goals for improved aluminum alloys that will result in significant weight savings. These property goals are: (A) specific Elastic Modulus - 133 times 10 to the 6th power in. (B) Specific Elastic Modulus - 122 times 10 to the 5th power in., and Specific Yield Strength - 7.96 times 10 to the 6th power in. Goal A is a 30-percent increase in specific modulus of elasticity relative to Al 7075-T76, without significant loss in strength, toughness, fatigue strength, or stress-corrosion resistance. Goal B is a 20-percent increase in specific modulus of elasticity accompanied by a 20- percent increase in specific strength, without significant loss in toughness, fatigue strength, or stress corrosion resistance. The objective of this program is to develop advanced aluminum alloys from rapidly solidified particulate that meet specific property goals. In addition, the program is to establish a metallurgical basis suitable for manufacturing scale-up and application to new weapon systems.