The effects of prolonged thermal exposure on the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of C458 aluminum–lithium alloy

The effect of thermal exposure at 83, 135 and 177 °C up to 1000 h on the electrical resistivity, mechanical properties and fracture toughness of a peak aged Al–Li–Cu–Zr alloy, C458-T861 was studied. Good thermal stability in mechanical properties was observed up to 135 °C. The fracture toughness dropped both as a function of increasing temperature and times.