Theoretical Systems Ecology: Advances and Case Studies

Aluminum-base wrought products containing the elements normally present in either non-heat treatable aluminium-base alloys of at least 5%Mg or at least 1%Zn or heat-treatable aluminium-base alloys of one or more of the elements Cu, Mg, Zn, Si, Li and Mn in known combinations, and at least one of the elements Zr, Nb, Ta and Ni in a total amount of at least 0.30% substantially all of which is present in solid solution, are superplastically deformable. The remainder of the superplastically deformable product may be the normal impurities and incidental elements known to be incorporated in heat-treatable and non-heat treatable aluminium-base alloys. Advantageously the alloy of the wrought product contains at least 0.3%Zr and preferably at least 0.40%Zr. The wrought product disclosed may in some cases be deformed superplastically under isothermal conditions but it has been found advantageous to heat the alloy quickly to the superplastic forming temperature and/or allow the temperature to rise whilst the deformaton is in progress.