Thermomechanical processing of aluminum alloy 2090 for superplasticity

The effect of processing variables on the microstructural development and superplasticity of aluminum alloy 2090, a high strength Aluminum-Copper-Lithium-Zirconium alloy of reduced density in comparison to other A1-based materials, was investigated. Following previous research, warm rolling was conducted to strains, up to 3.36 and it was found that increasing the strain to values greater than 2.6 offered no improvement in subsequent superplastic response. Increased rolling speeds likewise did not enhance ductibility above a maximum value of approximately 240 percent. Microstructural examination revealed a refined, homogeneous microstructure consisting of T2 particles distributed in an alloy matrix. These particles reside a triple junctions in a recovered microstructure. Theses.