MAGNESIUM-LITHIUM ALLOY CASTING DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
The purpose of the program was to develop processing techniques for melting and casting Mg-Li alloys which would be adaptable to ingots of commercial sizes and applicable for converting them into plate and sheet. A state-of-the art report on melting, casting, and fabrication procedures for Mg- Li alloys was prepared. Melting and casting techniques were successfully developed for the production of 50- and 100-pound ingots of LA141 alloy using a vacuum-induction melting unit under an argon atmosphere of 1-inch pressure. Subsequent evaluation of this material indicated it to be of low impurity content and to have good mechanical properties and formability. Studies of fabrication procedures showed that with high quality material, processing conditions and fabrication temperatures could vary without deleterious effects on material properties or yield. However, the standard -T7 heat treatment now used as a stabilization treatment for commercial mill products can result in subsequent hardening due to room temperature aging. Reduction of the stabilization temperature is recommended. Studies of flux-melting techniques for the reclamation of scrap material have involved the casting of 6- 20-, and 90-pound ingots of LA141 alloy using newly developed flux compositions. The studies showed that good quality material could be obtained by flux melting techniques and indicates considerable promise for reclaiming scrap material and ultimately reducing the cost of Mg-Li mill products.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0824888
Entities
People
- P. D. Frost
- R. J. Jackson
- Thomas G. Byrer
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute