New EoL Routes of Al-Li Aircraft Integral LBW and FSW Welded Panels including New Cr-Free Coatings

The end of fife (EoL) new aircraft panels made Al-Li alloys in which the stringers and skin were joined, either by laser beam welding (LBW) or friction stir (FSW), was investigated at lab scale. Different cutting strategies, ranging from only for size reduction to full separation all materials, including removal welded seam, defined, with objective recycling maximum amount panel scrap back into high-quality alloys. Those aerostructures coated two novel Cr-free coating systems. effect coatings on recyclability need eliminate primer topcoats researched. Fading/enrichment alloying elements during determined. chemical compatibility recycled four commercial examined. EoL route that maximized closed-loop conservation valuable identified. Nine out ten configurations found be compatible joint recycling. Only LBW structure ER4047 filler wire required sorting fractions removing weld seam. Decoating corundum blasting followed before remelting is recommended process.