Arc-Welding: Lithium-Containing Aluminum Alloys

The development of structures in the aerospace industry is associated mainly with the application of advanced methods and new technologies. Promising metals include alloys containing lithium (the lightest metal, its density is 543 kg/m3). The use of these alloys in welded structures reduces the weight by 20–25% in comparison with structures produced using conventional aluminium alloys such as D16, V95, etc. This article shows that alloys of aluminium with lithium of all alloying systems have metallurgical and technological special features which must be taken into account when producing welded sections by fusion welding.