The increasing demand for lightweight aerospace structures has driven the continuous development of ultra-high-strength aluminum alloys (UHSAAs). Owing to their low density and high specific strength, UHSAAs remain the primary materials for next-generation aerospace structural components. Over the past decades, their tensile strength has increased from the 500 MPa level to beyond 700 MPa, accompanied by a shift in research focus from strength maximization to the synergistic optimization of strength, ductility, and damage tolerance. This work concentrates on 7xxx series and Al–Li alloys, systematically reviewing recent research advances and key challenges in alloy design and forming. Particular emphasis is placed on new strategies for strength–ductility synergy and the associated microstructural strengthening and toughening mechanisms. Finally, future development directions are discussed to provide guidance for the design and engineering application of high-performance aerospace aluminum alloys.
Xu et al. (2026) studied this question.