SYNOPSIS

Major Project

Project Title: Development of Aluminum Lithium Alloy and Study of

its physical and Corrosion Reactivity

Submitted by:
Rakshit Kumar Bhardwaj
16108039

Mayank Sharma
16108043

Jayant Makharia
16108081

Under the guidance of

Dr. Mamta Sharma

Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering

Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
(Deemed to be University)
 ABSTRACT

The high mechanical properties of the Al-Li-X alloys contribute to their increasingly broad
application in aeronautics, as an alternative for the aluminium alloys, which have been used so far.
The aluminium-lithium alloys have a lower specific gravity, a higher nucleation and crack spread
resistance, a higher Young’s module and they characterize in a high crack resistance at lower
temperatures. The aim of the research planned in this work was to design an aluminium alloy with
a content of lithium and other alloy elements. The research included the creation of a laboratorial
melt, the microstructure analysis with the use of light microscopy of A12.3 Lil.2 Cu0.7 Zr0.1 alloy, and
the microhardness test. The addition of lithium to aluminium reduces the density and increases the
elastic modulus; precipitation of the metastable ~(AI3Li) phase from supersaturated A1-Li solid
solution leads to appreciable increase in strength. The enhanced values for specific modulus and
specific strength favour the use of the AI-Li alloys as structural materials for aerospace applications.
A small amount (~0.1%) of zirconium is added to these alloys to improve the recrystallisation
characteristics.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Synthesis of Al-Li alloy with alloy additions like Copper and Zirconium as cast.
2. Microstuctural Study of the alloy through optical microscopy.
3. Study of physical properties like
a. Hardness
b. Wear Resistance
c. Tensile Strength
d. Impact Strength
e. Fatigue Strength.
4. Analysis of corrosion resistance: determination of corrosion rate of so produced Al-Li alloy
and study the effect of various factors
a. Concentration of Acidic/Alkaline sol.
b. Composition and condition of the sample
 METHODOLOGY

The atomic and weight compositions will be achieved mathematically using the available data in
the research studies based on the manufacturing of Al Li Alloys. A 100g sample is to be produced
for the objectives to be executed. The working temperatures range from 200-1500C .Tests to be
conducted are placed on the basis of DoE for the above mentioned synthesis. Manual grinding and
polishing will be done in order to study the microstructure of the produced sample. Three different
samples are going to be manufactured for the varied data and comparison between the samples so
manufactured. All the examination has to be done in the college premises itself based on the
availability and functional status of the equipment. After the synthesis of the alloy, we’ll proceed
with the aims and objectives mentioned above.

WORK PLAN

STEP 1
• Synthesis of Al-Li Alloy

STEP 2
• Surface Cleaning of Alloy.

STEP3
• Microstructural Study of Alloy

STEP4
• Physical Tests of the Samples

STEP 5
• Corrosion Rate Analysis

STEP 6
• Formulation of Results and Applications