The effect of pre-deformation artificial aging on mocrostructure and properties of a novel aluminum-lithium alloy was investigated to achieve the superior combinations of strength and toughness. The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile and tear test, and the precipitation behabiour was primarily characterized by TEM. The results indicated that the samples after a pre-deformation artificial aging possessed a preferable strength and toughness, owing to the precipitation of well-dispersed T1 (Al2CuLi) phases promoted by the plastic deformation. The formation and coarsening of PFZ were also effectively avoided in thie condition. The better combination of strength and toughness was obtained with the route of 4.5% pre-deformation 145℃, 35h aging.