Grain structure development in solid state additive manufacturing and welding – Al-Li-alloys

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Al-Li Alloy Grain Structure Development in Solid State Manufacturing and Welding
Aluminum has attracted great interest in research due to the rise of the need of reducing the natural weight of vehicles, aerospace and other structures in the industry of transportation. The properties of aluminum make it favorable for structural engineering (Kablov 160). These properties which are favorable include: resistance to corrosion, having a good strength to weight ratio in addition to machinability. As compared to steel, aluminum can be recycled easily which saves the smelting energy. The weldability of aluminum alloys is good (Olabode 20). However, it becomes challenging when welding alloys with high strength. These are the likes of 7xxx series which normally have a couple of challenges.
Metal structures which are lightweight welded are being demanded increasingly due to the efficiency they have in use of energy and sustainable development in general. There are two different Al alloy designations which include wrought and cast alloys. There is need to carry out a critical survey researching in the field of aluminum-lithium alloy presenting data about their microstructure, heat treatment of the sheets, welds and forging besides phase composition (Antipov 460). The process entails the protective alloying, oxidation kinetics, the susceptibility of cracks and hydrogen in the Al-Li alloy. After the analysis, the grain structure and solidification, as well as the mechanical and structural properties of the material, are examined (Grushko 1).

The 2xxx series of Al alloy is the best due to its high strength, in the room and elevated temperature, high tensile strength, and heat treatability. The recent process which is currently being used in the development of the alloy is the friction stir process (Tao, Song, et al). This technique demonstrates essential benefits of it being economical. Despite it reducing the cost, it has increased the efficiency of manufacturing in industries (Mishra and Harpreet 5). The specialization in this type of alloy is because it is the premium alloy of aluminum used in aerospace.
Works Cited
Antipov, V. V., N. I. Kolobnev, and L. B. Khokhlatova. “Advancement of Al-Li alloys and multistage modes of their heat treatment.” Metal Science and Heat Treatment 55.9-10 (2014): 459-465.
Grushko, Olga, Boris Ovsyannikov, and Viktor Ovchinnikov. Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Process Metallurgy, Physical Metallurgy, and Welding. CRC Press, 2016.
Kablov, E. N. “Materials and chemical technologies for aircraft engineering.” Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 82.3 (2012): 158-167.
Mishra, Rajiv S., and Harpreet Sidhar. Friction Stir Welding of 2XXX Aluminum Alloys including Al-Li Alloys. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2016.
Olabode, Muyiwa. “Weldability of high strength aluminum alloys.” Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis (2015).
Tao, Song, et al. “Intergranular and Exfoliation Corrosion Properties of 2099 Type Al-Li Alloy
with Sr and Sc Additions [J].” Chinese Journal of Rare Metals 2 (2012): 005.