Method of heat treating aluminum—lithium alloy to improve formability

摘要

A method is provided for heat treating aluminum-lithium alloys to improve their formability. The alloy is heated to a first temperature, maintained at the first temperature for a first time period, heated at the conclusion of the first time period to a second temperature, maintained at the second temperature for a second time period, actively cooled at the conclusion of the second time period to a third temperature, maintained at the third temperature for a third time period, and then passively cooled at the conclusion of the third time period to room temperature.

主权项

1. A method for heat treating aluminum-lithium alloys to improve formability, comprising the steps of:
providing an aluminum-lithium alloy having 2.0 to 5% by weight of copper, 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of lithium, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of magnesium, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of silver, 0.05 to 0.15% by weight of zirconium, and a balance by weight of aluminum; heating the aluminum-lithium alloy to a first temperature within the range of approximately 400° F. to approximately 650° F.; maintaining the aluminum-lithium alloy at said first temperature for a first time period not to exceed 16 hours; heating the aluminum-lithium alloy at the conclusion of said first time period to a second temperature within the range of approximately 700° F. to approximately 900° F.; maintaining the aluminum-lithium alloy at said second temperature for a second time period not to exceed 12 hours; actively cooling the aluminum-lithium alloy at the conclusion of said second time period to a third temperature within the range of approximately 400° F. to approximately 600° F.; maintaining the aluminum-lithium alloy at said third temperature for a third time period not to exceed 4 hours; and passively cooling the aluminum-lithium alloy at the conclusion of said third time period to room temperature.