Scandium added to aluminium alloys significantly improve the tensile strength and physical properties AlSc2 AlSc5 AlSc30

It is well known that small quantities of scandium, a rare earth metal, added to aluminium alloys significantly improve the tensile strength and physical properties of the finished product. Aluminium –scandium alloys (Al-Sc alloys) were discovered and patented in 1971 in USA and have been used in recent years in sports equipment (such as baseball bats, tennis rackets), bicycle frames, tent poles etc. American firearms company Smith & Wesson manufacture revolvers with the bulk made using Al-Sc alloys. It is also used in the aerospace sector for the production of welded gas tanks, structures for dashboard panels and compartments and large stamped and welded structures. Russian military plane MIG 29 is recognised as the aircraft with the highest content of Al-Sc alloys. In a nutshell, researchers claim that scandium provides the highest increment of tensile strength per atomic percent than any other alloying element when added to aluminium.