Methods for processing machining chips comprising aluminum-lithium alloy

Abstract

Methods for processing machining chips comprising aluminum-lithium alloys are provided. The method comprises cleaning machining chips comprising an aluminum-lithium alloy to remove at least a portion of processing fluid from the machining chips and providing cleaned machining chips. The method also comprises compressing a volume of the cleaned chips to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 70% of the full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy.

1 . A method for processing aluminum-lithium chips, the method comprising:
 obtaining machining chips produced during machining of an aluminum-lithium alloy;   and   compressing a volume of the machining chips to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 70% of a full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a processing fluid is used during the machining of the aluminum-lithium alloy, and the method further comprises cleaning the machining chips to remove at least a portion of the processing fluid from the machining chips and provide cleaned machining chips prior to the compressing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning comprises at least one of contacting the machining chips with an aqueous solution to dissolve processing fluid on the machining chips into the aqueous solution, and heating the machining chips in an inert atmosphere to pyrolize processing fluid on the machining chips. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning comprises contacting the machining chips with an aqueous solution to dissolve processing fluid on the machining chips into the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning comprises reducing a carbon content on a surface of the machining chips. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compacting comprises at least one of continuous rotary extrusion, conform extrusion, equal channel angular processing, equal channel angular extrusion, high pressure torsion, and shear assisted processing and extrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compacting comprises continuous rotary extrusion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the processing fluid comprises machining lubricant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the machining chips comprise:
 0.1% to 5% lithium by weight;   aluminum; and   impurities.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 granulating the machining chips.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the machining chips is compacted to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 90% of the full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the machining chips is compacted to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 95% of the full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a density of the volume of machining chips prior to compressing the volume is no greater than 50% of the full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy. 
     
     
         16 . A method for processing aluminum-lithium chips, the method comprising:
 cleaning machining chips comprising an aluminum-lithium alloy to remove at least a portion of machining lubricant from the machining chips and providing cleaned machining chips, wherein the cleaning comprises at least one of contacting the machining chips with an aqueous solution to dissolve processing fluid on the machining chips into the aqueous solution, and heating the machining chips in an inert atmosphere to pyrolize processing fluid on the machining chips; and   compressing a volume of the cleaned machining chips to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 70% of a full theoretical density, wherein the compressing comprises at least one of continuous rotary extrusion, conform extrusion, equal channel angular processing, equal channel angular extrusion, high pressure torsion, and shear assisted processing and extrusion.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the machining chips comprise:
 0.1% to 5% lithium by weight;   aluminum; and   impurities.   
     
     
         20 . A method for making an aluminum-lithium alloy, the method comprising:
 introducing a compact made according to the method of  claim 1  into a molten bath of an aluminum-lithium alloy to form a molten alloy.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising solidifying at least a portion of the molten alloy to form an aluminum-lithium ingot or other solid form from the molten alloy. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making a part comprising an aluminum-lithium alloy, the method comprising:
 machining the ingot or other solid form made by the method of  claim 21  to form the part.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A cohesive compact made according to the method of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         25 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method for recycling aluminum-lithium chips, the method comprising:
 obtaining machining chips produced during machining of an aluminum-lithium alloy using a processing fluid;   cleaning the machining chips to remove at least a portion of the processing fluid from the machining chips and provide cleaned machining chips;   compressing a volume of the cleaned machining chips to provide a compact comprising a density of at least 70% of a full theoretical density of the aluminum-lithium alloy;   introducing the compact into a molten bath of an aluminum-lithium alloy to form a molten alloy; and   solidifying at least a portion of the molten alloy to form an aluminum-lithium ingot or other solid form from the molten alloy.