Evaluation tests show that magnesium-lithium alloys are lighter and more ductile than other magnesium alloys. They are being used for packaging, housings, containers, where light weight is more important than strength

Adams, W. T.

Cataldo, C. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

NASA TECH BRIEF 
.
June 1964
	
Brief 63-10389 
This NASA Tech Brief is issued by the Technology Utilization Division to acquaint industry 
with the technical content of an innovation derived from the NASA space program. 
Lightweight Magnesium-Lithium Alloys Show Promise 
.
The problem: To develop metals for applications in 
which weight is a primary consideration. Structural 
applications in the aerospace industry require light-
weight, high-strength metals such as magnesium al-
loys, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys. However, 
there are many applications for metals in which 
strength is less important than light weight. Examples 
of such applications are packaging for electronic 
assemblies, housings for cameras, etc. 
The solution: A class of magnesium-lithium alloys. 
Although magnesium alloys have been, for many 
years, the lightest commercially available structural 
metals, they can be made even lighter by additions of 
lithium. Magnesium-lithium alloys are more ductile 
than other alloys of magnesium. 
How it's done: Research, started in the 1940's and 
continued through the intervening years, has resulted
in a class of lightweight, highly formable magnesium-
lithium-base alloys. These alloys have great potential 
for both aerospace and industrial applications. 
Two alloys, LA141 and LA9I, developed in the 
Battelle Memorial Institute research program and 
evaluated under NASA sponsorship for aerospace 
possibilities, have tensile strengths in the range of 
20,000 psi. Since about 1960, the aerospace industry 
has been making considerable use of the LA-141 alloy 
in prototype hardware components, and this alloy is 
now available commercially. The LA9 1 alloy is not 
being made commercially but is available on custom 
orders. A third alloy, LAZ933, has just been devel-
oped but is not ready for commercial use. 
The nominal compositions and some properties of 
these three alloys are shown in the table below. 
Further research is needed on the LAZ933 alloy to 
permit a more detailed evaluation of its properties. 
SOME PROPERTIES OF THREE MAGNESIUM-LITHIUM ALLOYS* 
Nominal Ultimate 
All	 composition, OY Tensile Yield Elongation in Elastic weigh: percent Density, Strength strength 2 inches. modulus. 
(Balance Mg) g/cmS** psi. Psi. percent*** 106 psi. 
LA141	 l4Li-lAl 1.35 21,000 17,000 30 6.5 
LA91	 9Li-lAl 1.45 22,000 16,500 30 6.5 
LAZ933	 9Li-3Al-3Zn 1.56 30,000 21,000 30 6.5
* At room temperature. 
** Compares with 1.74 g/cm' for pure magnesium. 
LA 141 and LA91 sheet can be formed at room temperature over a radius of about IT. LAZ933 requires a radius of 3 to 
4T at room temperature, but IT at about 350'F.
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, 
Aeronautics and Space Adrninistraiion. Neither the tj g ited States Govern.	 or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 	 rights; or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
any warranty or representation, express or im plied, with respect to the	 damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in 	 or process disclosed in this document. 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19630000070 2020-03-11T16:47:51+00:00Z
S 
Notes:	 5. 
I. At their present stage of development, the 
magnesium-lithium alloys should not be used at 
temperatures above 200°F, because of rapid 
strength deterioration. 
2 In general, the corrosion resistance of these alloys 
is comparable to that of most commercial mag-
nesium alloys. They can be given the same surface-
protection treatments that are generally applied to 
commercial magnesium alloys. A satisfactory 
method for electroplating the new alloys has not 
yet been developed. 
3 Although the alloys are readily weldable by resist-
ance and inert-gas welding techniques, they can-
not be brazed. 
4 The alloys have been found satisfactory for the 
fabrication of electronic component and instru-
ment cases, and it is expected that with further 
' lopment and lower-cost quantity production 
their commercial and industrial applications will 
be considerably extended.
Further information concerning these alloys is 
contained in: Evaluation of Magnesium-Lithium 
Alloys for Possible Missile and Space Applications 
by T. G. Byrer, R. J. Jackson, A. M. Sabroff, and 
P. D. Frost, available from Battelle Memorial 
Institute, 505 King Avenue, Columbus I, Ohio, 
and Defense Metals Information Center Memoran-
dum 146 Magnesium-Lithium Alloys—A Review of 
Current Developments by P. D. Frost, February 6, 
1962, available from the Department of Commerce, 
Office of Technical Services, Washington, D.C. 
20230. Inquiries may also be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B63-10389 
Sources:
1. Battelle Memorial Institute under contract to 
Army Ballistic Missile Agency and 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
2. Marshall Space Flight Center (M-FS-17)
. 
Brief 63-10389


Lightweight magnesium-lithium alloys show promise

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