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Microstructure-property relationships of two AI-3Li-2Cu-0.2Zr-XCd alloys

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Abstract

The microstructure and tensile properties of two A1-3 wt pct Li-2 wt pct Cu-0.2 wt pct Zr alloys, one Cd-free and one containing 0.2 wt pct Cd, have been investigated. The Cd-free alloy remained unrecrystallized for all solutionizing treatments studied, whereas a special treatment had to be developed to prevent recrystallization during solutionizing of the 0.2 wt pct Cd alloy. In combination with cadmium, zirconium either enters into, or nucleates on, the course Al7Cu2Fe and T2 phases during high temperature annealing. This reduces the volume fraction of small coherent Al3Zr particles in the matrix which normally inhibits recrystallization. Consequently, a low temperature anneal to precipitate Al3Zr is necessary prior to high temperature solutionizing in order to prevent recrystallization in the Cd-containing alloy. Unlike its effect in lower lithium, higher copper content aluminum alloys, cadmium does not significantly affect the nucleation of the strengthening precipitates. If anything, cadmium has a detrimental effect on the age hardening response of this alloy, since it increases the formation of coarse Al-Cu-Li equilibrium phases at grain and subgrain boundaries and thus removes some of the copper and lithium from participating in the formation of the strengthening precipitates T1 and δ′. Subgrain boundary fracture occurred during tensile tests of both alloys in the unrecrystallized condition; however, transgranular fracture occurred in tests of the partially recrystallized 0.2 wt pct Cd alloy. Both types of fractures are believed due to a form of strain localization associated with precipitate free zones and shearable precipitates.

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Formerly with the Fracture and Fatigue Research Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

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Lin, F.S., Chakrabortty, S.B. & Starke, E.A. Microstructure-property relationships of two AI-3Li-2Cu-0.2Zr-XCd alloys. Metall Trans A 13, 401–410 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02643349

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02643349

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