Scandium additions in high-performance aluminum alloys for aerospace applications

Scandium is a very potent alloying element in aluminum. Early work at Alcoa in the US and at aerospace laboratories in the former Soviet Union in the late 1960s and early 1970s showed that scandium additions increase performance when added to wrought commercial alloys. Subsequent work has shown that the most dramatic increases in performance are observed in high-strength Al-Mg 5xxx series-type alloys. The widespread adoption of Sc-containing aluminum alloys has been limited by commercial and supply issues. In this presentation, we will review previous aerospace applications for scandium-containing alloys and discuss the potential for future applications. In addition, we will update the current state of the scandium supply chain.