Current status and prospects of research and application of aluminum-lithium alloy

Al-Li alloys have gained attention for their use in weight and stiffness-critical structures used in aircraft, aerospace and military application. Work on Li additions to Al was reported as early as 1920s and Al-Li alloys have been developed to the 3rd generation. China still has a gap with foreign countries in the research, development, production and application of Al-Li alloys. Al-Li alloy could be divided into wrought Al-Li alloys and cast Al-Li alloys, and wrought Al-Li alloys have been widely applied in the field of aerospace. This article describes the precipitates, corrosion, heat treatment and weldability of wrought Al-Li alloys. Meanwhile, the research status of cast aluminum-lithium alloys is summarized from the aspects of development and application and alloy development.