It was found that the Ar + ion irradiation of the cold-worked 1424 alloy with an energy of 40 keV (flowence of 3×10 17 cm -2 and higher) results in recrystallization that occurs in the entire volume of the samples 7.3 mm thick, which leads to either broadening of deformation bands or the formation of equiaxed grain structure, depending on irradiation mode. The irradiation decreases the density of grain boundary precipitates and refines Al 6Mn intermetallic compounds. All that leads to an increase in the plasticity of the alloy. Irradiation also provokes the formation of fine particles of a metastable δ'-phase (Al 3Li) ~10-15 nm in diameters; but theyr volume density is so small that it does not cause hardening effect, as after thermal annealing. Because of this, thermal annealing can not be used as a standard intermediate softening operation between rolling treatments of the alloy. As a result of short-term radiation, we obtained a level of properties of the alloy that satisfies the regulated requirements and makes further cold rolling possible. The irradiation time is significantly less than the duration of softening annealing (1-2 h) and is only a few minutes.