METHODS FOR PROCESSING MACHINING CHIPS COMPRISING 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.