Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an unrecrystallized wrought aluminum-lithium product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of a lithium containing aluminum base alloy; heating the body to a hot working temperature and hot working the body to a first product. The product is cold worked to a second wrought product and then reheated while avoiding substantial recrystallization thereof, the reheating adapted to relieve stored energy capable of causing recrystallization during a subsequent heat treating step. The product is then solution heat treated, quenched and aged to provide a substantially unrecrystallized product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an unrecrystallized, thin gauge cold rolled aluminum-lithium sheet product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of a lithium containing aluminum base alloy, heating the body to a hot rolling temperature, and hot rolling the body to a first intermediate sheet product. After cold rolling to a second intermediate thickness, the sheet product is reheated and hot rolled to produce a final sheet product while avoiding substantial recrystallization there, the hot rolling adapted to relieve stored energy capable of initiating recrystallization during a subsequent heat treating step. Thereafter, the sheet product is solution heat treated, quenched and aged to provide a substantially unrecrystallized product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness.

Abstract: A method of producing a recrystallized aluminum-lithium product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a lithium-containing aluminum base alloy comprised of 0.5 to 4.0 wt. % Li, 0 to 5.0 wt. % Cu, 0 to 5.0 wt. % Mg, 0.10 to 1.0 wt. % of a grain structure control element selected from the class consisting of Zr, Cr, Hf, Ti, V, Sc, and Mn, 0.5 wt. % max. Fe, and 5 wt. % max. Si, with the balance consisting essentially of aluminum and incidental elements and impurities; heating the body to a high presoak temperature to homogenize the alloy; cooling the alloy to a first hot working temperature; reheating the alloy, after hot working, back to a high annealing temperature; cooling the alloy to a second hot working temperature to produce a first product; reheating the alloy to a lower annealing temperature; and then cold working the alloy.

Abstract: An aluminum base alloy wrought product having an isotropic texture and a process for preparing the same is disclosed. The product has the ability to develop improved properties in the 45.degree. direction in response to an aging treatment and is comprised of 0.5 to 4.0 wt.% Li, 0 to 5.0 wt.% Mg, up to 5.0 wt.% Cu, 0 to 1.0 wt.% Zr, 0 to 2.0 wt.% Mn, 0 to 7.0 wt.% Zn, 0.5 wt.% max. Fe, 0.5 wt.% max. Si, the balance aluminum and incidental impurities. The product has imparted thereto, prior to a hot rolling step, a recrystallization effect to provide therein after hot rolling a metallurgical structure generally lacking intense work texture characteristics. After an aging step, the product has improved levels of properties in the 45.degree. direction.

Abstract: A method of producing an unrecrystallized wrought aluminum-lithium sheet product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness is disclosed. The method comprises providing a body of a lithium containing aluminum base alloy comprised of 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % Li, 1.6 to 2.8 wt. % Cu, 0.7 to 2.5 wt. % Mg, 0.03 to 0.20 wt. % Zr, 0.5 wt. % max. Fe, 5 wt. % max. Si, the balance essentially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The body is heated to a hot working temperature, hot worked to produce a first product, then reheated while avoiding substantial recrystallization thereof, the reheating adapted to relieve stored energy capable of causing recrystallization during a subsequent heat treating step. The reheated product is solution heat treated, quenched and aged to provide a substantially unrecrystallized sheet product having improved levels of strength and fracture toughness.