Potential Use of Work Hardening Aluminum Alloy X5090 Sheet in Civil Aircraft

Aluminum alloy X5090, containing a nominal 7% magnesium, is a recent introduction to the moderately high-strength class of alloys, but it represents a change from a heat-treatable to a work-hardening type. Advantages of low density, corrosion resistance, fatigue, and fracture toughness are stressed. Mechanical, physical, and corrosion properties are presented, with emphasis on problems related to stress-corrosion and formability, and their solutions. Potential uses are discussed.