Composition and anisotropy in AlCuLiAgMgZr alloys

Abstract

Aluminum-lithium alloys that have been hot worked generally suffer from an anisotropy of mechanical properties, both through thickness (surface to centerline) and in plane (from longitudinal to 45[degree] to transverse). Although such anisotropy is present in all tempers, it is more pronounced in the commercially-important, high strength, artificially aged conditions. Yield strength differences between the longitudinal and long transverse orientations ([Delta]YS) of up to 240 MPa for Al-Cu-Li alloy 2090 have been reported. Since minimum properties in all orientations must be considered in applications design, mechanical property anisotropy can limit the use of an alloy. To investigate the role composition plays in the development of mechanical property anisotropy, the authors have examined a range of compositions in the Weldalite[reg sign] 049 alloy family as well as certain model alloys. This novel approach is in contrast to most attempts to reduce anisotropy which have been based on established alloys of relatively narrow composition ranges. In the present study, a baseline aluminum alloy 2195 (4.0 Cu-0.95 Li-0.4 Ag-0.4 Mg-0.14 Zr, in wt.%) with accompanying experimental variants containing 0 to 1.4% Li and 0.4 and 1.2% Mg, were evaluated for tensile property anisotropy, fracture toughness, and microstructure.