Micrestructure and property development in spray formed and extruded Al-Mg-Li-Zr alloys for aerospace and autosport applications

摘要

Low density Al-4Mg-1.3Li-0.4Zr and Al-6Mg-1.6Li-0.4Zr alloys were spray formed and the billets extruded under a range of conditions. The alloy compositions were selected to provide an attractive balance of tensile strength and elongation, without relying on complex post-processing and heat treatments - and are therefore suitable for complex cross section extrusions and free from quench distortion. The as-spray formed microstructures showed fine homogeneous, equiaxed grains with an average size of 10-15 urn. Firstly, a laboratory scale extrusion was carried out to extrude 30 mm diameter billets into 7.5 mm diameter cross-section and to investigate the effects of temperature and ram speeds on microstructural development. The micro-structure after extrusion at 400 ℃ was partially dynamically recrystallised with a -0.5 area fraction of ～1μm grains and the remainder were unrecrystallised elongated grains. Electron backscatter diffraction showed a mixed <111> + <100> double fibre texture. After peak age hardening at 150 ℃ for 96 h, the Al-6Mg-１.6Li-0.4Zr alloy showed a 0.2% proof strength of 495 MPa, a tensile strength of 553 MPa and elongation to failure of 8.5%; Al-4Mg-1.3Li-0.4Zr showed a 0.2% proof strength of 392 MPa, a tensile strength of 476 MPa and an elongation of 10%. Subsequently, large-scale complex cross-section were extruded at -400 ℃. Due to the complexity of the cross-sections and the non-axisymetric deformation, the fibre texture was distorted to FCC rolled Copper and Brass orientations. After a dual-step age hardening treatment of 130 ℃ for 8h followed by 160 ℃ for 8h, the proof strength, ultimate strength and elongations were 340 MPa, 470 MPa and 16% respectively. The combination of relatively simple process steps, high strength and ductility/formability, and low distortion in complex sections demonstrated the strong potential for these low density alloys in aerospace and autosport applications.