Thermal Stability of Al-Cu-Mg Alloys

The Al-Cu-Mg alloys currently used at elevated temperature for aerospace applications, such as 2618 and 2219, were developed in the 1950s. Since then, not only have property requirements evolved significantly with the widespread introduction of damage tolerant design, but also the understanding and modelling capacity of the alloys' property-composition-processing relationships have developed beyond recognition. Moreover there is a renewed need for higher strength/toughness, higher temperature solutions in many aircraft's hot areas.A kinetic model has been developed to predict the strengthening capability and the thermal stability of hardening phases. It is based on a homogeneous nucleation, growth and coarsening model applied to S' (Al2CuMg) and θ' (Al2Cu); the yield strength is then calculated from the precipitates' size distribution. It suggests two areas of interest in the Al-Cu-Mg diagram.Three targeted compositions were then explored inside and outside the areas of interest and their thermal stability assessed up to 250°C. Different behaviours were observed and are explained by the strengthening potential and the coarsening resistance of S' and θ'. The two interesting areas for thermally stability are confirmed. An area of poorer thermal stability was also identified, associated with a high Cu content in solid solution which accelerates precipitate coarsening kinetics.