Lithium Alloy Research Articles

Fabrication of Nanocrystalline High‐Strength Magnesium−Lithium Alloy by Rotary Swaging

A high‐strength magnesium‐lithium alloy is successfully fabricated via cold rotary swaging herein. The microstructure evolution in the central and edge regions of the alloy bar during the swaging process is explored using transmission electron microscopy. The results show that nanograins with high‐angle grain boundaries are formed in the central region of the alloy bar after five‐pass swaging, resulting in higher microhardness and strength obtained in the central region than in the edge region. The sample in the central region of the five‐pass swaged alloy bar exhibits a specific strength of 313 kN m kg−1 and a yield strength of 463 MPa. The nanocrystallization process of initial coarse grains in the central region of the alloy bar contains massive twinning first and subsequent refinement of twin/matrix lamellae through the formation of many dislocation arrays. However, it is not possible to form nanograins in the edge region of the alloy bar after five‐pass swaging because of the lower twinning activity and the difficulty of forming dislocation arrays compared with the central region.

Investigation of Li-In alloy application as anode for all-solid-state batteries

The problem of the interface optimization between solid electrolyte and anode must be resolved for all-solid-state power sources creation. In the presented work, it is proposed to use Li-In alloy as anode material instead of metallic lithium. The wettability of the composite solid electrolyte based on Li7La3Zr2O12 by In and Li-In alloy was investigated by high-temperature optical dilatometry. The symmetric cells with metallic lithium and Li-In alloy were assembled and their resistance was measured at room temperature. It was established that Li-In alloy application leads to a significant decrease in the resistance at the interface between anode and solid electrolyte (from 37.2 to 0.5 kΩ cm2). So, it can be concluded that using of Li-In alloy leads to the interface optimization between anode and composite electrolyte based on cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 and can be applied for all-solid-state power sources creation.

Microstructure Analysis and Fatigue Behavior of Laser Beam Welding 2060-T8/2099-T83 Aluminum–Lithium Alloys

In this paper, the microstructure analysis and performance research of dual laser beam welded 2060-T8/2099-T83 aluminum–lithium alloys were carried out. First, the macroscopic morphology and microstructure characteristics of T-joint aluminum–lithium alloys under different welding conditions were observed. Then the effect of welding parameters and pore defects on tensile and fatigue properties of the weld were carried out and the experimental results were analyzed. It was found that the weld heat input has a significant influence on the penetration of the welded aluminum–lithium alloys joint. When the laser power is too high, the weld will absorb more laser energy and the increase in the evaporation of magnesium will further increase the weld penetration. When the penetration depth increases, the transverse tensile strength tends to decrease. There is no obvious rule for the effect of pore defects on the tensile strength of the weld. At the same time, the heat input of the weld is inversely proportional to the porosity. When the weld heat input increases from 19.41 to 23.33 kJ/m, the porosity decreases from 5.35% to 2.08%. During the fatigue test, it was confirmed that the existence of pore defects would reduce the fatigue life of the weld. In addition, from the analysis of the fatigue fracture morphology it can be found that when the porosity is low, the weld toe is the main source of fatigue cracks. The crack propagation zone shows a typical beach pattern and the final fracture of the base metal presents the characteristics of a brittle fracture. While, when the porosity is high, the crack source is mainly located at the pore defects. T-joint fractures from the inside of the weld and the fracture in the final fracture zone have obvious pore defects and dimples.

Healable Lithium Alloy Anode with Ultrahigh Capacity.

Effective recycling of spent Li metal anodes is an urgent need for energy/resource conservation and environmental protection, making Li metal batteries more affordable and sustainable. For the first time, we explore a unique sustainable healable lithium alloy anode inspired by the intrinsic healing ability of liquid metal. This lithium alloy anode can transform back to the liquid state through Li-completed extraction, and then the structure degradation generated during operation could be healed. Therefore, an ultralong cycle life of more than 1300 times can be successfully realized under harsh conditions of 5 mA h cm-2 capacitance by a process of two healing behaviors. This design improves the sustainable utilization of Li metal to a great extent, bringing about unexpected effects in the field of lithium-based anodes even at an unprecedentedly high discharge current density (up to 25 mA cm-2) and capacity (up to 50 mA h cm-2).

Enabling High-Rate Plating in Solid-State Li Batteries By Interface Engineering and Pulse Plating

High power solid-state Li batteries (SSLB) are hindered by the formation of dendritic structures at high current rates. One of the main reasons for their formation are current constriction that arise from inhomogeneous electrical field distributions at the Li metal | solid-electrolyte interface that originates from, e.g., (i) poor contact between Li metal and the solid electrolyte or (ii) the Li metal void formation during Li metal stripping.1,2 Herein, we present a solution achieved via thorough sample preparation consisting of a mixture of polishing steps, heat treatments and the usage of a molten lithium alloy to effectively wet the electrolyte. This reduces the interfacial resistance to negligible values, which enables critical current density (CCD) up to 4 mA/cm². Moreover, we applied different current waveforms (i.e., pulse plating) to homogenize the current distribution at the interface, which increases the CCD significantly to a value of up to 6.3 mA/cm². These results, suggest that the combination of interface engineering in combination with alternative current waveforms are promising strategies to reach the power requirement for future electrical vehicles.

Enhanced Battery Cell Lifespan of Lithium Metal Battery Via Using Lithium Metal Alloy Protective Layer Anode and Aluminum Oxide Modified NMC Cathode

Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) have much attention over the state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIMs) in term of the energy density. As compared with the conventional graphite anode of LIBs, lithium anode has a high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g-1) and a low electrochemical potential (-3.04 V vs SHE). Nonetheless, no stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) forms on the surface of lithium metal. The continuous electrolyte consumption along with the non-uniform lithium deposition leads to the limited cell lifespan and cell safety concern, both of which impede their LMBs practical applications. To address the problems, herein, we introduce an alloying protective layer on lithium metal anode integrating with thin Al2O3 layer modified on LiNi0 .8Co0 .1Mn0 .1O2 (NMC811) cathode to prolong lifespan of batteries. By using the lithium alloy protective layer, the LMB exhibits good stability performance better than the fresh Li metal approximately 20%. We hope that this perspective together can be a guiding principle for the next-generation practical batteries. Figure 1

Analysis of the properties of electron beam welded joints of aluminium lithium alloy latest generation

The Paton Welding Journal, 2021, №05. International Scientific-Technical and Production Journal «The Paton Welding Journal» «The Paton Welding Journal» has been published monthly since 2000 in English, ISSN 0957-798X. «The Paton Welding Journal» is a cover-to-cover English translation of the «Avtomaticheskaya Svarka» (Automatic Welding) journal. The «Avtomaticheskaya Svarka» journal has been published monthly since 1948 in Russian, ISSN 005-111X.

Analysis of the properties of electron beam welded joints of aluminium lithium alloy latest generation

Analysis of the properties of electron beam welded joints of aluminium lithium alloy latest generation

Automated mineralogy as a novel approach for the compositional and textural characterization of spent lithium-ion batteries

Mechanical recycling processes aim to separate particles based on their physical properties, such as size, shape and density, and physico-chemical surface properties, such as wettability. Secondary materials, including electronic waste, are highly complex and heterogeneous, which complicates recycling processes. In order to improve recycling efficiency, characterization of both recycling process feed materials and intermediate products is crucial. Textural characteristics of particles in waste mixtures cannot be determined by conventional characterization techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. This paper presents the application of automated mineralogy as an analytical tool, capable of describing discrete particle characteristics for monitoring and diagnosis of lithium ion battery (LIB) recycling approaches. Automated mineralogy, which is well established for the analysis of primary raw materials but has not yet been tested on battery waste, enables the acquisition of textural and chemical information, such as elemental and phase composition, morphology, association and degree of liberation. For this study, a thermo-mechanically processed black mass (<1 mm fraction) from spent LIBs was characterized with automated mineralogy. Each particle was categorized based on which LIB component it comprised: Al foil, Cu foil, graphite, lithium metal oxides and alloys from casing. A more selective liberation of the anode components was achieved by thermo-mechanical treatment, in comparison to the cathode components. Therefore, automated mineralogy can provide vital information for understanding the properties of black mass particles, which determine the success of mechanical recycling processes. The introduced methodology is not limited to the presented case study and is applicable for the optimization of different separation unit operations in recycling of waste electronics and batteries.

Corrosion of Metals and Nickel-Based Alloys in Liquid Bismuth–Lithium Alloy

Bismuth–lithium alloys are considered as primary candidates for the reductive extraction step of on-line reprocessing of a molten salt reactor fuel. The corrosion behavior of pure metals and nickel-based alloys was studied in a liquid Bi–Li (5 mol.%) alloy at 650 °C. The tantalum, molybdenum, and corrosion-resistant alloys VDM® Alloy C-4, Hastelloy® G-35®, KhN62M, VDM® Alloy 59 were studied as prospective materials for this liquid metal media. The corrosion rates were determined by gravimetric method as well as chemical analysis of corrosion products in Bi–Li alloy. Microstructure and chemical composition of samples of the materials and Bi–Li alloys containing the corrosion products after the tests were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Metallic tantalum and molybdenum do not chemically interact with liquid Bi–Li alloy; the corrosion rate of these metals is determined only by the solubility in this medium. The corrosion rates of Ta and Mo at 650 °C were 0.09 and 0.07 mm/year, respectively. Nickel alloys are subjected to severe corrosion in liquid Bi–Li alloys due to dissolution of nickel in liquid bismuth. Alloys of this type cannot be used in such an environment.

Development and Application Prospects of Aluminum–Lithium Alloys in Aircraft and Space Technology

Development and Application Prospects of Aluminum–Lithium Alloys in Aircraft and Space Technology

Effect of heat treatments on microstructural and mechanical characteristics of dissimilar friction stir welded 2198/2024 aluminum alloys

The 3rd generation of aluminum–lithium (Al–Li) alloys provides a desirable combination of high mechanical properties and low density compared to their traditional counterparts, exempt of lithium. Therefore, providing a reliable joint between new and conventional aluminum alloys is crucial for making hybrid structures. The present study focuses on improving the mechanical properties of dissimilar AA2198/AA2024 joints using different heat treatments before and after welding. Tensile tests paired with digital image correlation (DIC) techniques and micro-hardness maps were performed to document the macro-scale and local mechanical behavior of the joints. As-welded joints demonstrated a similar yield strength, 30% lower than that of the base metals in T3 and T8 metallurgical states. As-welded joints failed at the AA2198 side in the heat affected zone (HAZ), parallel to the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), region experiencing intense strain concentration and minimal hardness values. Post welding-heat treatments (PWHT) was found to successfully strengthen HAZ on the AA2198 side, without abnormal grain growth in the nugget and impairing the hardness properties on AA2024 side. This improvement in local mechanical properties on the AA2198 side was related to the re-precipitation of dissolved T1 (Al2CuLi) and θ (Al2Cu) during welding as characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and microscopy analyses. However, PWHT joint variants demonstrated a reduction in total elongation and ultimate tensile strength due to intense strain localization on the AA2024 retreating side compared to a much more homogeneous strain distribution in the as-welded joints.

Analysis of nitrogen distribution in iron-titanium alloys after nitrogen trapping in liquid lithium by using soft X-ray emission spectroscopy

Liquid lithium, a candidate material for the target of International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), easily contains nitrogen. Nitrogen in liquid lithium should be removed as it accelerates corrosion of tubing materials. Hot trapping by iron-titanium alloys is expected to be a practical method. In order to understand the characteristics of nitrogen trapping with iron-titanium alloys in liquid lithium, nitrogen distribution was observed by Soft X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (SXES). Samples of Fe-5Ti alloys were immersed for 9–256 h in liquid lithium which contains 1000 w-ppm of nitrogen at 823 K and studied by X-ray Powder diffraction and SXES. The results show that nitrogen is trapped mainly in the grain boundaries and on the surfaces of the Fe-5Ti alloys and diffuses in Fe-5Ti much faster than in pure titanium. In addition, it is assumed that the amount of nitrogen trapping by the surface of Fe-5Ti alloys does not depend on the immersion time.

Heat Capacity of Pure Magnesium and Ultralight Congruent Magnesium–Lithium Alloy in the Temperature Range of 300 K to 825 K

Heat Capacity of Pure Magnesium and Ultralight Congruent Magnesium–Lithium Alloy in the Temperature Range of 300 K to 825 K

Self-piercing riveting for single-strap butt joints in similar aluminium alloys

The self-piercing riveting (SPR) single-strap butt joints (butt joint) were fabricated in similar sheets of Al5052 aluminium alloy and 1420 aluminium–lithium alloy. Mechanical characteristics of SPR butt joints of different materials were discussed comparing with their corresponding SPR single-lap joints (lap joint). The effects of the rivet pitch and the strap length on the butt joints of different materials were investigated. Results indicated that the lap joints have better performance in strength and stiffness, while the butt joints have more superior shock resistance capacity. The strap length had some impact on the failure behaviour of the joint but not the joint strength. The load borne capacity of the butt joints was highly dependent on rivet pitch.

Physical Background, Computations and Practical Issues of the Magnetohydrodynamic Pressure Drop in a Fusion Liquid Metal Blanket

In blankets of a fusion power reactor, liquid metal (LM) breeders, such as pure lithium or lead-lithium alloy, circulate in complex shape blanket conduits for power conversion and tritium breeding in the presence of a strong plasma-confining magnetic field. The interaction of the magnetic field with induced electric currents in the breeder results in various magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects on the flow. Of them, high MHD pressure losses in the LM breeder flows is one of the most important feasibility issues. To design new feasible LM breeding blankets or to improve the existing blanket concepts and designs, one needs to identify and characterize sources of high MHD pressure drop, to understand the underlying physics of MHD flows and to eventually define ways of mitigating high MHD pressure drop in the entire blanket and its sub-components. This article is a comprehensive review of earlier and recent studies of MHD pressure drop in LM blankets with a special focus on: (1) physics of LM MHD flows in typical blanket configurations, (2) development and testing of computational tools for LM MHD flows, (3) practical aspects associated with pumping of a conducting liquid breeder through a strong magnetic field, and (4) approaches to mitigation of the MHD pressure drop in a LM blanket.

Pencil lead based low cost and binder-free anode for lithium-ion batteries: effect of different pencil grades on electrochemical performance

We depict a facile and one step approach to fabricate a high capacity anode by drawing pencil lead onto the current collector. For efficient loading and adhesion, stainless steel substrate used as a collector is roughened using sand paper before drawing the pencil lead onto it. As pencil lead comprises graphite-clay (primarily silica) composites, graphite provided cyclic stability due to lithium ion intercalation while SiO2 resulted in higher reversible capacity by facilitating alloying and de-alloying of lithium with silicon. To evaluate their role further onto the anodic performance, three different pencil grades (4H, 4B and 10B) are used which varied in graphite and silica composition. A detailed comparative analysis of their electrochemical performances is done and is further correlated to their structural parameters. Importantly, the fabrication of anode is not only facile but also is solvent and binder free and is also scalable for real application.Graphic Abstract

Fiber Metal Laminates Based on Aluminum–Lithium Alloy Sheets in New-Generation Aircraft

Fiber metal laminates based on aluminum–lithium alloy sheets are considered. The basic characteristics of such materials are considered as a function of their laminar structure. Tests show that laminar hybrids are preferable to traditional aluminum-alloy structures.

Development of a Rheological Model of Hot Deformation as Exemplified by 1424 and В-1461 Aluminum Lithium Alloys

A variant of a rheological model of hot deformation is proposed: the law of hyperbolic sine, which, as opposed to standard law, accounts not only for the rate of deformation and temperature of the process, but also the degree of deformation. The material constants in the law of hyperbolic sine are substituted with polynomial functions of the degree of deformation; its coefficients are calculated using a specially developed procedure. The proposed rheological model has been applied for aluminum lithium alloys of lower density, grade 1424, Al–Mg–Li–Zn system, and grade V-1461, system Al–Cu–Li–Zn, for which, using physical simulation at the Gleeble-3800 facility, the flow curves were determined in the temperature range of 400–480°C and the rates of deformation of 1–60 s–1 to the degree of deformation of 0.6. In addition, the influence of the initial state of the material is studied: samples are taken both from the ingot and from hot rolled plates. The constants of the rheological model of hot deformation, including the Zener–Hollomon parameter and the law of hyperbolic sine for the overall range of stresses and deformations, are determined. After approximating the parameters of this model as a function of real deformations using the polynomial law of the 4th order, the rheological model was developed describing the behavior of an alloy in the considered range of temperatures and rates. The parameters of the law of hyperbolic sine are determined as a function of degree of deformation. It is demonstrated that the parameters for a cast material are higher than for a rolled material. A comparison of the standard model with the proposed one demonstrated that the use of a standard model gives overestimated flow stresses in the entire deformation range (up to 12%).

Effect of cryogenic heat treatment &amp; ageing on ultra fine grained aluminium–lithium alloy- A review

Cryogenic heat treatment process is well known for enhancing the mechanical properties of alloys having considerably low melting points and less weight. This sub-zero treatment process possesses various beneficial effects on the behaviour and the microstructure of the material treated as well. Cryogenic heat treatment is an in-expensive process in comparison with the other heat treatment process undergone to enhance the core properties of the lightweight alloys. Cryogenic heat treatment hence finds the applications in many industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace and defence. In the proposed review article, the post effects of the cryogenic heat treatment & Ageing on Aluminium 2099 & Aluminium 8090 alloys were discussed. Even though much detailing is remained to be learnt regarding the postal effects of Aluminium alloys undergoing cryogenic heat treatment. The mechanical properties of ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-Li alloys with post-aging heat treatment have been investigated.