State-of-the-Art and Prospects of Application of Aluminum Alloys with Scandium in Russian Industry

Abstract

The stages of the development and application in of scandium-alloyed aluminum alloys in Russia are analyzed. The processes of production of deformed semiproducts from them are considered. It is shown that all industrial aluminum alloys with scandium can be divided into three groups according to their chemical compositions, i.e., not heat-hardenable alloys based on the Al – Mg system, heat-hardenable alloys based on the Al – Zn – Mg – (Cu) system, and heat-hardenable lithium-containing aluminum alloys. The Al – Mg – Sc alloys are used mainly in the space industry. The Al – Zn – Mg – (Cu) – Sc alloys with unique combination of physical and mechanical properties in deformed condition, are promising for manufacture of lining sheets. Aluminum-lithium alloys with scandium have a limited application due to the embrittling effect of scandium and low values of fracture toughness. In addition, the influence of scandium alloying on the weldability of semiproducts from alloys of this group awaits further study. It is inferred that aluminum-lithium alloys with scandium are not appropriate for the aircraft industry.