Electromagnetic Impact Welding of Al-to-Al–Li Sheets

The potential for weight savings resulting from the low density and high stiffness of aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloys and the difficulty in fusion welding of these alloys led to this study of solid state welding of Al-Li alloys for its potential application in the aerospace and automobile industries. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of electromagnetic (EM) welding of Al-to-Al-Li sheets by using Al drivers to drive the electrically poor conductive Al-Li sheets. A study has been carried out to characterize the electromagnetic impact welding of Al-to-Al-Li sheets of 1 mm thickness. Specific heat treatment cycle need to be followed prior to EM welding of Al-Li sheets. The results of the microstructure and tensile shear strength tests are reported.