Superplastic behavior of Al-Cu-Li based alloy

The superplastic behavior was studied in an Al-4Cu-1Li-0.4Mg-0.4Ag-0.1 Zr alloy. The alloys were manufactured both by a conventional rolling route and a thermo-mechanical treatment route. The superplastic properties were evaluated as a function of temperature, strain rate, and processing history. Prior to thermo-mechanical processing, the alloys have elevated-temperature ductilities of 94% to 130%, strain rate sensitivities of about 0.25, and activation energies corresponding to lattice diffusion. After thermo-mechanical processing, the alloys have ductilities of 200% to 630%, strain rate sensitivity of about 0.42, and activation energies corresponding to grain boundary diffusion or a mixture of grain boundary diffusion and lattice diffusion. Skipping rapid recrystallization annealing can supply a higher value of elongation-to-failure.