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Aluminium Scandium Alloy (Al-Sc) is a high-performance metallic material celebrated for its exceptional strength, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability. Typically containing 0.1-3% scandium (with trace elements like zirconium or magnesium), this alloy offers a density of 2.7-2.8 g/cm³ and a yield strength of 250-500 MPa, depending on composition. Its unique ability to form fine precipitates and inhibit grain growth makes it indispensable in weight-sensitive structural components for aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
1. Grain Refinement: Scandium forms stable Al3Sc precipitates during solidification, reducing average grain size from 100 μm to <10 μm, improving tensile strength by 30%.
2. Thermal Stability: Maintains mechanical properties up to 300°C, significantly better than conventional aluminum alloys (which degrade above 150°C).
3. Corrosion Resistance: Protected by a dense Al2O3-Sc2O3 oxide layer, ensuring long-term reliability in marine and high-humidity environments.
4. Weldability: Low tendency for hot cracking during welding, enabling complex structural designs in aircraft fuselages and automotive frames.
5. Weight Efficiency: Offers a strength-to-weight ratio 20% higher than 6061-T6 aluminum, critical for reducing fuel consumption in aerospace applications.
• Aerospace Structures: Used in wing skins, fuselage panels, and landing gear components for commercial aircraft (e.g., Boeing 787), reducing component weight by 15% while increasing service life.
• Automotive Components: Forms high-strength, lightweight parts like engine mounts, suspension arms, and battery enclosures, improving fuel efficiency and crash resistance.
• Sports Equipment: Manufactures premium bicycle frames, golf clubs, and baseball bats, combining stiffness, durability, and corrosion resistance for elite-level performance.
• Defense Applications: Ideal for armored vehicle hulls and missile components, resisting ballistic impacts and extreme temperatures in combat environments.
• Research & Development: Serves as a model alloy for studying precipitate strengthening mechanisms and as a precursor for additive manufacturing feedstocks in 3D printing.
Q: What is the optimal scandium content for different applications?
A: Low-scandium alloys (0.1-0.5%) are used for corrosion resistance, while high-scandium alloys (1-3%) prioritize strength for aerospace and defense.
Q: How does Al-Sc alloy compare to titanium in weight and strength?
A: It is 40% lighter than titanium with comparable strength, making it preferable for non-high-temperature structural applications.
Q: Can it be used in cryogenic environments?
A: Yes, it retains ductility and impact resistance down to -200°C, suitable for liquid hydrogen storage tanks in space launch vehicles.
Q: What is the primary challenge in producing Al-Sc alloy?
A: Scandium's high cost and low natural abundance require specialized melting techniques (e.g., vacuum induction melting) to ensure uniform distribution.
Q: Is there a recycling process for Al-Sc alloy scrap?
A: Yes, recycling retains 95% of scandium content through molten salt electrolysis, supporting circular economy initiatives in high-tech manufacturing.
Material name | Aluminium Scandium Alloy |
Other Name | Aluminum scandium metal, AlSc alloy |
Formula | Al-Sc |
Content | Al is the main one, Sc can be 2%~20%. |
Appearance | Silver grey ingot or lump, or other customized size |
Aluminium Scandium Alloy (Al-Sc) is a high-performance metallic material celebrated for its exceptional strength, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability. Typically containing 0.1-3% scandium (with trace elements like zirconium or magnesium), this alloy offers a density of 2.7-2.8 g/cm³ and a yield strength of 250-500 MPa, depending on composition. Its unique ability to form fine precipitates and inhibit grain growth makes it indispensable in weight-sensitive structural components for aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
1. Grain Refinement: Scandium forms stable Al3Sc precipitates during solidification, reducing average grain size from 100 μm to <10 μm, improving tensile strength by 30%.
2. Thermal Stability: Maintains mechanical properties up to 300°C, significantly better than conventional aluminum alloys (which degrade above 150°C).
3. Corrosion Resistance: Protected by a dense Al2O3-Sc2O3 oxide layer, ensuring long-term reliability in marine and high-humidity environments.
4. Weldability: Low tendency for hot cracking during welding, enabling complex structural designs in aircraft fuselages and automotive frames.
5. Weight Efficiency: Offers a strength-to-weight ratio 20% higher than 6061-T6 aluminum, critical for reducing fuel consumption in aerospace applications.
• Aerospace Structures: Used in wing skins, fuselage panels, and landing gear components for commercial aircraft (e.g., Boeing 787), reducing component weight by 15% while increasing service life.
• Automotive Components: Forms high-strength, lightweight parts like engine mounts, suspension arms, and battery enclosures, improving fuel efficiency and crash resistance.
• Sports Equipment: Manufactures premium bicycle frames, golf clubs, and baseball bats, combining stiffness, durability, and corrosion resistance for elite-level performance.
• Defense Applications: Ideal for armored vehicle hulls and missile components, resisting ballistic impacts and extreme temperatures in combat environments.
• Research & Development: Serves as a model alloy for studying precipitate strengthening mechanisms and as a precursor for additive manufacturing feedstocks in 3D printing.
Q: What is the optimal scandium content for different applications?
A: Low-scandium alloys (0.1-0.5%) are used for corrosion resistance, while high-scandium alloys (1-3%) prioritize strength for aerospace and defense.
Q: How does Al-Sc alloy compare to titanium in weight and strength?
A: It is 40% lighter than titanium with comparable strength, making it preferable for non-high-temperature structural applications.
Q: Can it be used in cryogenic environments?
A: Yes, it retains ductility and impact resistance down to -200°C, suitable for liquid hydrogen storage tanks in space launch vehicles.
Q: What is the primary challenge in producing Al-Sc alloy?
A: Scandium's high cost and low natural abundance require specialized melting techniques (e.g., vacuum induction melting) to ensure uniform distribution.
Q: Is there a recycling process for Al-Sc alloy scrap?
A: Yes, recycling retains 95% of scandium content through molten salt electrolysis, supporting circular economy initiatives in high-tech manufacturing.
Material name | Aluminium Scandium Alloy |
Other Name | Aluminum scandium metal, AlSc alloy |
Formula | Al-Sc |
Content | Al is the main one, Sc can be 2%~20%. |
Appearance | Silver grey ingot or lump, or other customized size |