Hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of the Al-Cu-Li alloy: A study with processing map

The 2195 Al-Cu-Li alloy is widely utilized for the fabrication of key aerospace vehicle components; hence, an in-depth understanding of its hot deformation behavior is essential for consistently achieving high-performance products. In this study, isothermal compression tests were performed on 2195 Al-Cu-Li alloy ingots in the temperature and strain rate ranges of 250–500 °C and 10−3-1 s−1, respectively. A processing map was established to predict the workability under different conditions. The corresponding microstructures were examined to reveal their hot deformation mechanism. Results demonstrated that the processing map was divided into four distinct domains. The unstable zone was located in the 250–375 °C/10−1.5-1 s−1 and 250–275 °C/10−2.5–10−1.5 s−1, temperature/strain rate regimes, in which deformation bands and flow localization were observed. The deformation bands blocked dislocations and compromised the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior, hence damaging the microstructure. Further, large coarse T1 phases precipitated in the 325–410 °C/10−2.5–10−3 s−1 regime, which led to the formation of heterogeneities in the microstructure, corresponding to a minimum workability in the processing map. The optimal hot-working domain for the 2195 alloy was determined to be 460–500 °C/10−3–10−2 s−1, and the dominating hot deformation mechanisms were DRX and dynamic recovery (DRV). Specifically, continuous and discontinuous DRX behaviors dominated in the 300–400 °C/10−3 s−1 and 450–500 °C/10−3 s−1 regimes, respectively. DRX gradually weakened as the strain rate increased at 500 °C. Further, the weakening of DRX was only minimally affected by temperature at 400–500 °C during high-speed deformation (1 s−1). The results reported herein can provide valuable insights into the hot working of Al-Cu–Li alloys.