Forming performance of an as-quenched novel aluminum-lithium alloy

The forming performance of an as-quenched (W temper) novel aluminum-lithium alloy was investigated to realize a rapid and efficient forming through the route of “solution–forming after quenching–aging”. Tensile test was mainly adopted to obtain the true stress–strain curves, which were applied to calculate the strain hardening index (n value) and plastic strain ratio (r value). The results revealed that the investigated alloy displayed the satisfied forming properties in as-quenched condition. The Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) bands during the tensile deformation were observed within 60 min after quenching. Moreover, the n values were isotropic at different directions, decreasing rapidly with the extension of natural aging time. Meanwhile, the r values, rarely influenced by natural aging behavior, exhibited a significant anisotropy.