On the microstructure, texture and electrochemical properties of severely deformed and artificially aged lightweight AA2050 Al-Cu-Li alloy

Lightweight 3rd generation Al-Cu-Li alloy AA2050 was severely deformed via Multi Axial Forging (MAF) at 170 °C followed by artificial aging at 150 °C. Effect of MAF and post MAF aging on microstructure and precipitation was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Formation of deformation bands and large dislocation cells were evident on MAF processed samples. Post MAF peak aging resulted in the distribution of fine T₁ precipitates in grain interiors with reduction in grain boundary precipitation. Bulk texture studies reveal the formation of strong Goss and S texture components upon MAF processing. Further, low temperature artificial aging doesn’t exhibit significant changes in texture characteristics, either in terms of texture intensities or texture components. Polarization studies showed that peak aged samples exhibited better corrosion resistance compared to un-aged samples. Overall, 12 pass MAF processed and peak aged samples showed higher corrosion resistance. Further, corrosion surface morphologies examination revealed the change in corrosion mechanisms with thermomechanical treatments. Improved corrosion resistance after MAF and peak aging widens the requirements in aerospace and aircraft applications for such engineering alloys.