Application of 2198 Al-Li Alloy in Falcon 9 Rocket

[China Aluminum Network] Airware2198 aluminum-lithium alloy is a kind of aviation developed by the former Canadian Aluminum Corporation (which merged with Rio Tinto in 2008 and formed Rio Tinto Alcan Corporation, but still operates under the name of “Alcan”). Spacecraft alloys, finalized in 2005 and registered with the Aluminum Association of America (AA), registered components (mass%): 0.08Si, 0.10Fe, 2.9~3.5Cu, 0.50Mn, 0.25~0.8Mg, 0.05Cr, 0.35Zn , 0.10Ti, 0.10~0.50Ag, 0.8~1.1Li, 0.04~0.18Zr, other impurities were 0.05, 0.15 in total, and the remainder was Al. The performance of Airware 2198-T8 alloy compared with the conventional 2×× aerospace alloy has the following advantages: 40% higher corrosion resistance, 22% higher fatigue strength, 44% higher tensile strength, and 47% higher fracture toughness. With 3% lower density and 3% higher rigidity, the da/dn performance is greatly improved, friction stir welding performance is slightly improved, and the processing performance is comparable to that of the 2024 type and 7075 type alloys. The semi-finished products processed with Airware 2198 alloys are thin plates, thick plates, profiles and forgings. The United States uses the Airware 2198-T8 alloy plates with thickness of 3.6~6.1mm instead of 2219-T8 alloy plates to manufacture the front and second overall fuel tank barrels of the Falcon 9 rockets. Round end caps have achieved the desired results. Airware2198-T8 alloy sheet is consumed by Issire Aluminum Company of Canada Aluminum Corporation.