RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LIGHT ALLOYS

Light alloys, and aluminium alloys in particular, are widely used to m odel new processes and their association with the aerospace industries often places them at the forefront of emerging technologies. Moreover , knowledge of microstructure/property relationships is providing oppo rtunities to design alloys to meet specific service requirements. Thes e two themes are used as the basis for discussing recent developments in aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys. Particular attention is g iven to new ageing practices, lithium-containing aluminium alloys, the role of trace elements in controlling precipitation and to titanium a luminides. Reference is also made to several new materials produced by unconventional methods of processing.