Dispersion strengthened low density MA-Al

Claim 1

A dispersion strengthened, mechanically alloyed aluminum-base alloy consisting essentially, by weight, of from about 0.5 to about 4% lithium, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 3% oxygen, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 2% carbon, at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of copper and magnesium in an amount up to about 5%, provided that when copper and magnesium are both present the total amount does not exceed about 8%, and provided that when the lithium content is above 1.5% up to about 3% and the alloy is free of copper, the magnesium level is greater than 1%, and the balance essentially aluminum, and said alloy containing about 2 up to about 8% by volume of a refractory dispersoid, said alloy being characterized in the substantially fully dense consolidated form by a combination of room temperature 0.2% yield strength of over about 345 MPa and an elongation of at least 3%.

Claim 15

A method of producing a dispersion-strenghtened aluminum base alloy of improved mechanical properties comprising: providing a mechanically alloyed aluminum-base alloy powder consisting essentially, by weight, of from about 0.5 to about 4% lithium, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 3% oxygen, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 2% carbon, at least one of the elements selected from the group copper and magnesium in an amount up to about 5%, provided that when copper and magnesium are both present the total amount does not exceed about 8%, and provided that when the lithium content is above 1.5% up to about 3% and the alloy is free of copper, the magnesium level is greater than 1%, and the balance essentially aluminum, and said alloy containing about 2 up to about 8% by volume of a refractory dispersoid, degassing and hot consolidating the powder to a substantially dense alloy, and solution treating the consolidated alloy; whereby an alloy is provided which is characterized in the consolidated solution treated condition by a combination of room temperature 0.2% yield strength of over about 345 MPa and an elongation of at least 3%.

Claim 16

A method of producing a dispersion-strenghtened aluminum base alloy of improved mechanical properties comprising: providing a mechanically alloyed aluminum-base alloy powder consisting essentially, by weight, of from about 0.5 to about 4% lithium, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 3% oxygen, a small but effective amount for increased strength up to about 2% carbon, at least one of the elements selected from the group copper and magnesium in an amount up to about 5%, provided that when copper and magnesium are both present the total amount does not exceed about 8%, and provided that when the lithium content is above 1.5% up to about 3% and the alloy is free of copper, the magnesium level is greater than 1%, and the balance essentially aluminum, and said alloy containing about 2 up to about 8% by volume of a refractory dispersoid, degassing and hot consolidating the powder to a substantially dense alloy, and solution treating the consolidated alloy; whereby an alloy is provided which is characterized in the consolidated solution treated condition by a combination of room temperature 0.2% yield strength of over about 345 MPa and an elongation of at least 3%.