X-ray diffraction study of the structural evolution in a grade 1469 (Al-Cu-Li) alloy during the production of hot-rolled sheets

X-ray diffraction is used to study the structural changes in a grade 1469 (Al-Cu-Li) alloy with a high lithium content that occur during the production of hot-rolled sheets according to the ingot → pressed strip → hot-rolled sheet schedule. In the pressed strip, a multicomponent Bs {110}〈112〉, Cu {211}〈111〉, and S {123}〈111〉 texture forms, which is typical of articles pressed from such alloys, and an unusual intense single-component texture of the Ex₁ {011}〈111〉 type forms in the hot-rolled sheets. Its formation is stimulated by cross rolling of the sheets. The low strength characteristics of the hot-rolled sheets after heat treatment are related to an elevated heating temperature used for quenching and to the oriented precipitation of the lamellar particles of the hardening T ₁ phase.