Microstructures evolution and mechanical properties disparity in 2070 Al-Li alloy with minor Sc addition

The microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-3.35Cu-1.2Li-0.4Mg-0.4Zn-0.3Mn-0.1Zr （mass fraction, %） alloywith Sc addition or free Sc were investigated through tensile test, SEM, EPMA and TEM. The addition of 0.082% （mass fraction） Scelement leads to the formation of Cu-rich and Sc-contained nano-sized Al3（ScZr） particles and W phase particles. The Al3（ScZr）particles can inhibit recrystallization to a certain extent and impede recrystallized grain growth during solution treatment. It is foundthat W phase cannot dissolve in supersaturated solid solution during the solution heat treatment, and the Cu content in thesolutionized matrix is decreased, which causes a decrease in the fraction of Cu-contained strengthening precipitates with T1 （Al2CuLi）and θ＇ （Al2Cu） under T8 aging condition. Due to the formation of the W phases, the small Sc addition causes a little reduction in thestrength.

Influence of minor Sc additions on grain refinement and microstructure characteristics of a high Zn-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy

In the present work, scandium elements with a series of contents(0.06 wt.%, 0.10 wt.%, 0.14 wt.%,0.17 wt.%, 0.20 wt.% and 0.25 wt.%) were added in a high Zn-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy and the corresponding as-cast microstructure characteristics including grains and phases were thoroughly investigated. The results indicated that fine grain boundaries existed in these alloys and fine MgZn2phases discontinuously distributed on them. Besides,AlZnMgCu eutectic phases and Sc, Zr-containing phases with flocculent morphology were observed. As scandium contents vary from 0.06 wt.% to 0.17 wt.%, the average grain size continuously decreased and its equiaxial characteristics were strengthened. Meanwhile, the content of AlZnMgCu eutectic phase showed a decrease trend. When scandium contents were 0.20 wt.% and 0.25 wt.%, no further enhancement on grain refinement was observed, so as to the reduction of AlZnMgCu eutectic phase content. Besides, Sc, Zr-containing phases with blocky morphology were observed and the alloy with a scandium content of 0.25 wt.% possessed a larger amount of blocky Sc, Zr-containing phase than the alloy with a scandium content of 0.20 wt.%. Grain refinement and reduction of AlZnMgCu eutectic phase content associated with scandium addition were discussed.

Mechanical properties and thermal stability of 7055 Al alloy by minor Sc addition

This study investigated the effect of 0.25 wt%Sc addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA 7055 alloy.The addition of Sc obviously refined the grains of AA 7055 alloy during casting,homogenizing,rolling,solution,and aging treatments due to the formation of primary and precipitate Al3(Sc,Zr)phase.The recrystallization and precipitation of AA 7055 alloy were inhibited during heat treatments by Sc addition.The Sccontaining AA 7055 alloy exhibited higher thermal stability than AA 7055 alloy during homogenizing treatment,because of the grain boundary pinning effect of nano-sized Al3(Sc,Zr)particles.Given its structure characteristics such as fine grains,fineη′phase,and lessηphase,AA 7055 alloy with added Sc showed good mechanical properties after aging at 120℃for 24 h,with an ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 679 MPa and elongation(EL)of 14%.This work provides an effective strategy to fabricate AlZn-Mg(-Cu)series(7 xxx)alloys with excellent mechanical properties.

Semisolid slurry of 7A04 aluminum alloy prepared by electromagnetic stirring and Sc, Zr additions

Slurry preparation is one of the most critical steps for semisolid casting, and its primary goal is to prepare slurry with uniformly distributed fine globules. In this work, electromagnetic stirring(EMS) and the addition of Sc and Zr elements were used to prepare semisolid slurry of 7A04 aluminum alloy in a large diameter slurry maker. The effects of different treatments on the microstructure, composition and their radial homogeneity were investigated. The results show that, compared to the slurry without any treatment, large volume slurry with finer and more uniform microstructure can be obtained when treated by EMS, Sc, or Zr additions individually. EMS is more competent in the microstructural and chemical homogenization of the slurry while Sc and Zr additions are more excellent in its microstructural refinement. The combined treatment of EMS, Sc and Zr produces premium 7A04 aluminum alloy slurry with uniformly distributed fine α-Al globules and composition. The interaction mechanism between EMS and Sc and Zr additions was also discussed.