An investigation on the elastic modulus and density of vacuum casted aluminum alloy 2024 containing lithium additions

The elastic modulus and density of (2024+LiX) alloys are investigated. To the alloy of 2024, the weight percentages of lithium added are 2,3, and 4. Melting is carried out in an induction furnace under argon gas protection; casting is done under vacuum. To obtain the maximum strength and hardness, the specimens are solution heat treated under 495 C and quenched in water at room temperature. Then, they are aged naturally and artificially. For the purposes of comparing, some of the specimens are melted under argon gas, but casting is done without vacuum. All the specimens are subjected to tension tests. As a result of this work, the alloys of aluminum that are difficult to manufacture by the known methods are manufactured safely by the vacuum casting method. For 1% of lithium added to the alloy, an increase of 6% in the elastic modulus and 3% decrease in the density are obtained. The specific elastic modulus, E/ρ, ratio increases by about 10% for each 1% addition of lithium.