Microstructure and mechanical properties of 7A56 aluminum alloy after solution treatment

The effect of solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a novel 7 A56 aluminum alloy plate was investigated by optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),conductivity,hardness and tensile tests.The results indicate that the coarse second phases in the hot-rolled plate mainly consist of AlZnMgCu quaternary phase and Al_(7) Cu_(2) Fe phase,and no Al_(2) CuMg phase is found.The amount of the second phases gradually reduces with the increase in temperature(450-480℃)and time(1-8 h)during the solution treatment,and the soluble particles are completely dissolved into the matrix after solution treatment at 470℃for 4 h,while the residual phases are mainly Fe-rich phase along the grain boundaries.The recrystallization fraction of the alloy gradually increases with the degree of solution treatment deepened.When the temperature exceeds480℃,over-burning takes place.The mechanical properties of samples treated at 470℃for various times were tested.After the solution treated at 470℃for 4 h,the quenching conductivity and peak-aged hardness of the alloy are 30.8%IACS and HV 204,respectively.The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the samples aged at 120℃for 24 h are 661 and 588 MPa,respectively.