Martin Marietta Corporation

Lawrence S Kramer

Joseph R Pickens

Frank H Heubaum

Timothy J Langan

Alex Cho

K Sharvan Kumar

Carl E Cross

Weld filler alloys comprising aluminum, copper, lithium and, optionally, silver are disclosed which possess significantly improved fabricability and weldability. The weld filler alloys are free of magnesium and can be easily drawn into weld wire that is useful for welding aluminum-base alloys. Weldments made with the filler alloys exhibit highly improved mechanical, physical and corrosion resistance properties. The weld filler alloys may be used to weld cryogenic containers for space launch vehicles and the like.

Al-Cu-Li weld filler alloy, process for the preparation thereof and

Aluminum-base alloys containing Cu, Li, Zn and Mg are disclosed which possess highly desirable properties, such as relatively low density, high modulus, high strength/ductility combinations, strong natural aging response with and without prior cold work, and high artificially aged strength with and without prior cold work. In addition, the alloys possess good weldability, cryogenic properties, and elevated temperature properties. The alloys may comprise from about 3.5 to about 7 weight percent Cu, from about 0.1 to about 1.8 eight percent Li, from about 0.01 to about 4 weight percent Zn, from about 0.05 to about 3 weight percent Mg, from about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent grain refiner selected from Zr, Cr, Mn, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, B and TiB.sub.2, and the balance Al along with incidental impurities. Preferred alloys comprise from about 3.5 to 6.5 weight percent Cu, from about 0.5 to 1.8 weight percent Li, from about 0.3 to 2 weight percent Zn, from about 0.1 to 1.5 weight percent Mg, from about 0.05 to 0.5 weight percent grain refiner, and the balance Al and incidental impurities. Additional elements selected from Ge, Sn, Cd, In, Be, Sr, Sc, Y, and Ca may be included in the present alloys.

High strength Al-Cu-Li-Zn-Mg alloys

Aluminum-base alloys which are provided which possess highly desirable properties, such as relatively low density, high modulus, high strength/ductility combinations, strong natural aging response with and without prior cold work, higher artificially-aged strength than existing Al-Li alloys with and without prior cold work, weldability, good cryogenic properties, and good elevated temperature properties. In one embodiment, aluminum-base alloys are provided having Al-Cu-Li-Mg compositions in the following ranges: 5.0-7.0 Cu, 0.1-2.5 Li, 0.05-4 Mg, 0.01-1.5 grain refiner selected from Zr, Cr, Mn, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, B, TiB.sub.2, and mixtures thereof, and the balance essentially Al. In another embodiment, aluminum-base alloys are provided having Al-Cu-Li-Mg compositions in the following ranges: 3.5-5.0 Cu, 0.8-1.8 Li, 0.25-1.0 Mg, 0.01-1.5 grain refiner selected from Zr, Cr, Mn, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, B, TiB.sub.2, and mixtures thereof, and the balance essentially Al.

Ultrahigh strength Al-Cu-Li-Mg alloys

Aluminum-base alloys containing Cu, Li, Zn, Mg and Ag are disclosed which possess highly desirable properties, such as relatively low density, high modulus, high strength/ductility combinations, strong natural aging response with and without prior cold work, and high artificially aged strength with and without prior cold work. In addition, the alloys possess good weldability, corrosion resistance, cryogenic properties, and elevated temperature properties. The alloys may comprise from about 1 to about 7 weight percent Cu, from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent Li, from about 0.01 to about 4 weight percent Zn, from about 0.05 to about 3 weight percent Mg, from about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent Ag, from about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent grain refiner selected from Zr, Cr, Mn, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, B and TiB.sub.2, and the balance Al along with incidental impurities. Preferred alloys comprise from about 3.0-6.5 weight percent Cu, from about 0.5-2.6 weight percent Li, from about 0.05-2 weight percent Zn, from about 0.1-1.5 weight percent Mg, from about 0.05-1 weight percent Ag, from about 0.05-0.5 weight percent grain refiner, and the balance Al and incidental impurities. Additional elements selected from Ge, Sn, Cd, In, Be, Sr, Sc, Y, and Ca may be used in addition to, or in place of, Zn in the present alloys.

Ultra high strength aluminum-base alloys

Welding alloys based upon aluminum, copper, mangesium, silver and lithium have been found to possess exceptional properties such as resistance to hot cracking, high strength and ductility, and an unexpected natural aging response. The aluminum-base alloys may contain 3.5 to 7 weight percent Cu, 0.05 to 1.5 weight percent Mg, 0.01 to 2 weight percent Ag, 0.1 to 4 weight percent Li, and 0.01 to 2 weight percent grain refiner.

Aluminum-lithium welding alloys

A family of alloys based upon aluminum-copper-magnesium-silver alloys to which lithium has been added, within specified ranges, exhibits superior ambient- and elevated-temperature strength, superior ductility at ambient and elevated temperatures, extrudability, forgeability, weldability, and an unexpected natural aging response.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Lawrence S Kramer