Effects of RRA Treatments on Microstructures and Properties of a New High-strength Aluminum-Lithium Alloy-2A97

A new high strength 2A97 Al-Cu-Li-X alloy was subjected to triple-aging of retrogression and re-aging treatments (RRA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile tests were used to investigate the effects of RRA treatment on the microstructures and properties. DSC test reveals the reversion temperature range of the strengthening δ' (Al3Li) phase. The results show that the microstructure consists of δ' (Al3Li) phase, T1 (Al2CuLi) phase and θ″/θ'(Al2Cu) phase for 2A97 alloy treated by a triple-aging of a retrogression and re-aging treatment in the following order: (1) at 165 °C× 30 min, (2) at 220 °C or 240 ° × 15 min, (3) at 165 °C× 24 h. The plastic deformation, incorporated into the treatment after secondary high temperature aging, promotes the T1 precipitation during final re-aging. The tensile properties of the alloy treated by the retrogression and re-aging treatment reach the peak level of alloy single-aged at 165 °C in T6 temper.