Grain refinement and macrosegregation behavior of direct chill cast Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy under combined electromagnetic fields

The combined electromagnetic fields were achieved by the application of an alternating magnetic field and a stationary magnetic field and were used during direct chill(DC) casting process to control the microstructure and macrosegregation of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy. Ingot microstructures were analyzed under an optical microscope(Leica DMR). The composition at different locations in the ingots was measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP) method. The results showed that the grain structure is transformed from dendrite to equiaxed structure and significantly refined with the application of combined electromagnetic fields. The uniformity of microstructure is also greatly improved. The combined electromagnetic fields show a significant effect on the distribution of elements. The negative macrosegregation in the centre area of the ingot is obviously reduced.

Effect of minor Sc and Zr addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

Three kinds of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu based alloys with 0.22%, 0.36%(Sc+Zr) (mass fraction, %), and without Sc, Zr addition were prepared by ingot metallurgy. By using optical microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the effects of microalloying elements of Sc, Zr on the microstructure of super-high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys related to mechanical properties were investigated. The tensile properties and microstructures of the studied alloys under different heat treatment conditions were studied. The addition of minor Sc, Zr results in the formation of Al3(Sc,Zr) particles. These particles are highly effective in refining the microstructures, retarding recrystallization, pinning dislocations and subboundaries. The strength of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys was greatly improved by simultaneously adding minor Sc, Zr, meanwhile the ductility of the studied alloys remains at a higher level. The 0.36%(Sc+Zr) alloys gain the optimal properties after 465 ℃/h solution and 120 ℃/24 h aging. The increment of strength is mainly due to strengthening of fine grain and substructure and precipitation of Al3(Sc, Zr) particles.

Age-hardening characteristic of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy produced by spray deposition

Al-10.8Zn-2.8Mg-1.9Cu alloy was synthesized by spray atomization and deposition technique. GP zones and age-hardening process in the alloy were investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM), selected area diffraction (SAD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results indicated that spray deposition process accelerated the aging kinetics of the alloy at an aging temperature of 120°C, thereby reducing the peak aging time to 16 h. GPI and GPII are the two types of zones that are major precipitates for the alloy under peak-aged condition. The precipitation sequence for the alloy is also discussed.

As-cast microstructure of Al-Zn-Mg and Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys added erbium

The effects of different contents of rare earth element, and erbium, on the as-cast microstructures of Al-6Zn-2Mg and Al-6Zn-2Mg-1.8Cu alloys were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and EDS analysis. The results show that the netlike structure of as-cast alloys can be remarkably refined, and the distance of dendritic structure decreases, with Er addition. However, the improvement results on Al-Zn-Mg-Cu are not better than that of Al-Zn-Mg. Er and Al can interact to form Al3Er phase, which is coherent with α（Al） matrix, with trace Er addition to the Al-Zn-Mg alloy. The refinement effect of Al-Zn-Mg alloys is familiar with the formation and precipitation of coherent Al3Er phases. The ternary compound AlCuEr, similar with AlCuSc phase, will form when Er is added to Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, which suppresses the formation of Al3Er phase and doesnt solve in the following heat treatment.

Redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during retrogression and reaging of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

The redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during retrogression and reaging of three different Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloys were investigated. The results of hardness and tensile strength test indicate that after pre-aging at 100 ℃ or 120 ℃ and retrogressing at 200 ℃ for various time and re-aging treatment, the hardness and strength of the alloys are all larger than those under pre-aging condition, some of them even exceed the value under peak aging(T6) condition. TEM observation shows that the PFZ formed during retrogressing in short time becomes narrow and even disappears after re-aging treatment. However, the PFZ formed during retrogressing for a long time does not narrow after re-aging treatment. It is suggested that the redistribution and re-precipitation of solute atom during re-aging treatment result in the narrowing and even disappearance of the PFZ formed during retrogression, which reinforces the grain-boundaries and presents the value of tensile strength exceeding peak-aging strength in the RRA condition, while the precipitates in the matrix of the alloys still keep or even exhibit a more dispersed distribution, and a

Evolution of eutectic structures in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys during heat treatment

The evolution of the eutectic structures in the alloys with different copper contents during heat treatment was studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS), and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The as cast microstructures involve α(Al), eutectic(α(Al) + Mg(Al, Cu, Zn)2) and Al7Cu2Fe. The Al2CuMg particles form during heat treatment. The volume of coarse phases decreases quickly in the initial 12 h during heat treatment. The volume of coarse phases change a little at 400 and 420 ℃. Copper content has a great influence on the evolution of the eutectic. The coarse phases dissolve slowly in alloy with higher copper content.

Microstructure and properties of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy pre-stretched plate under various ageing conditions

The microstructures after various ageing treatments and their relation to the strength, fracture toughness, and corrosion behavior of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy pre-stretched plate were investigated. The results show that retrogression and reaging (RRA) treatment led to a combina- tion of high strength and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of the alloy. The TEM microstructure of the RRA-treated alloy is a dis- tribution of very fine precipitates in the aluminum matrix grains, similar to that obtained under T6 condition, and the distribution of coarse η MgZn2 precipitates on the grain boundaries similar to that obtained by T7 temper. SEM observations revealed that most of the intergranular fracture characteristics were present on the fracture surface of both the T6 and RRA-treated specimens. On the contrary, the fractographs of the T7 treated specimens mainly consisted of dimple-type ductile transgranular fracture with minor intergranular cracking.

Effect of additional elements on aging behavior of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys by spray forming

The microstructure and aging behavior of spray formed Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were investigated as a function of alloying element addition. It is revealed that the grains of the as-deposited alloys are refined with increasing Zn element, while the function of Ni addition is to reduce grain boundary particles and eutectic in the as-extruded condition. Particles containing Mg and Zn are found to increase with Zn content increasing, while the role of Ni is to reduce both the number and size of these particles. After uniform heat treatment, parts of educts in grain boundary have melted and the grains have not grown up obviously. After heat extrusion, the microstructure becomes denser and there are many precipitated phases in cross-section while there are second phase arranging along extruded direction in longitudinal section. During artificial aging, the increment of Zn content produces not much effect on peak hardness, in addition to an accelerated overage softening. An addition of about 0.13%Ni, however, gives rise to not only improved peak hardness but also an improvement of property stability at the ageing temperature.

Deep-cryogenic-treatment-induced phase transformation in the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

An aluminum alloy(Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) subjected to deep cryogenic treatment(DCT) was systematically investigated.The results show that a DCT-induced phase transformation varies the microstructures and affects the mechanical properties of the Al alloy.Both Guinier-Preston(GP) zones and a metastable η' phase were observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.The phenomenon of the second precipitation of the GP zones in samples subjected to DCT after being aged was observed.The viability of this phase transformation was also demonstrated by first-principles calculations.

Production of high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys by spray forming process

High strength Al Zn Mg Cu alloys were produced by spray forming process, and compacted by hot extrusion. The results show that the as deposited billets have fine grained microstructure and low porosity. After heat treatment, mechanical properties increase greatly: tensile strength up to 754 MPa, yield strength up to 722 MPa, fracture elongation up to 8%, and elastic modulus up to 72 GPa, respectively. [

Corrosion behavior of two heat treatment Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys in different intergranular corrosion solution

The electrochemical behavior of two kinds of artificial aged Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys in two intergranular corrosion （IGC） solutions were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） and open circuit potential （OCP） at steady-state. EDAX result indicates that different artificial ageing methods change the composition and content of Cu and Zn in different zones. Zn/Cu depleted precipitation-free zone that plays a very important role in IGC is formed by heating the solubilized Al alloy for 135 ℃ at 16 h. All impedance spectra of the two alloys in two IGC solutions can be divided into three types. The two different states Al alloys takes on one time constant and two capacitive arcs at high-mediate frequency and low frequency in the NaCl+（NH4）2SO4 solution respectively; but in the NaCl+HCl solution, impedance displays one capacitive arc at the high-mediate frequency and an inductive loop at low frequency. OCP results show that more micro-galvanic cells in the NaCl+（NH4）2SO4 solution than that in the NaCl+HCl solution results in more potential fluctuation amplitude, and long-term drift of OCP is due to the long-term variation of the cathodic and anodic corrosion processes.

Influence of exfoliation corrosion on tensile properties of a high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

高强度 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu 合金的张力的性质上的脱落腐蚀的影响被周围的温度调查张力的严峻的、光显微镜学，传动电子显微镜学(TEM ) ，扫描电子显微镜学(SEM ) 和电子反散射衍射(EBSD ) 。在脱落腐蚀沉浸以后，水泡和腐蚀坑能在表表面上被看见，它导致材料和槽口的损失。很多个 intergranular 裂缝被观察在导致腐蚀的槽口的底部开始并且很快宣传进体积材料在期间张力。因而，脱落腐蚀导致力量和易碎的骨折的重要损失。EBSD 结果证明裂缝繁殖路径主要沿着有 45

Effect of Pre-Aging, Over-Aging and Re-Aging on Exfoliation Corrosion and Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

By means of TEM, hardness, conductivity, tensile strength test, fracture toughness test, polarization curve and EIS, the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys treated by a new multi-stage aging system, i.e. pre-aging, over-aging and re-aging (120°C/24h + 160°C/8h + 120°C/24h), were characterized. It is found that compared with the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys treated by T76 (120°C/24h + 160°C/8h), the new multi-stage aging treatment can improve the tensile strength, fracture toughness, hardness and conductivity of the alloys at the same time. This is mainly due to the pre-aging, over-aging and re-aging process of super high strength aluminum alloys. Compared with the two-stage over aging process, the formation of multi-stage multi-phase precipitation structure can improve the strength, toughness and corrosion resistance of the alloys at the same time. The polarization curve is consistent with the conclusion. Therefore, we conducted this study to test how the comprehensive properties of the alloy can be improved.

Temperature field in the hot-top during casting a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy by low frequency electromagnetic process

The billets of a new super-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy in 200mm diameter were produced by the processesof low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and conventional direct chill (DC) casting, respectively. The effects of lowfrequency electromagnetic field on temperature field of the melt in the hot-top were investigated by temperaturemeasurement method. Temperature curves were measured from the surface to the center of the billets by locating type Kthermocouples into the casting during the processes. The results show that during LFEC process the temperature field inthe melt applying the hot-top is very uniform, which is helpful to reduce the difference of thermal gradients between thesurface and the center, and then to reduce the thermal stress and to eliminate casting crack.

Preparation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy semisolid slurry through a water-cooled serpentine pouring channel

The semisolid slurry of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared through a self-designed water-cooled copper serpentine pouring channel(WSPC) machine. Influences of pouring temperature, the number of turns and the cooling water flow rate on the microstructure of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with satisfactory quality can be generated by the WSPC when the pouring temperature is in the range between 680 ℃ and 700 ℃. At a given pouring temperature, the average grain size of primary α-Al decreases and the shape factor increases with the increase of the number of turns. When the cooling water flow rate is 450 L·h^(-1), the obtained semisolid slurry is optimal. During the preparation of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with low superheat pouring, the alloy melt has mixed inhibition and convection flow characteristics by "self-stirring". When the alloy melt flows through the serpentine channel, the chilling effect of the inner wall of the channel, the convection and mixed inhibition of the alloy melt greatly promote the heterogeneous nucleation and grain segregation. This effect destroys the dendrite growth mode under traditional solidification conditions, and the primary nuclei gradually evolve into spherical or nearspherical grains.

Deformation twins and twinning at ambient temperature in cryomilled Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy powders

The nanocrystalline Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy powders were synthesized using cryomilling. Deformation twins and twinning at ambient temperature were observed in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu powders. Experimental results indicate that high strain rate at low temperature during cryomilling induces the formation of deformation twins by the climbing of the restricted dislocations in nano-scale grains, and the cryomilled powders at high energies and nonequilibrium state reduce the grain boundary energies by twinning.

FEATURE OF SERRATED YIELDING IN HIGH STRENGTH Al-Zn-Mg-Cu ALLOY

The temperature dependence of critical strain for serrated yielding in high strengthA1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy may be divided into two temperature regions.Their temperaturecoefficients of critical strain will be negative and positive,respectively.

Solidification microstructures of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys prepared by spraydeposition and conventional casting methods

高力量 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu 合金被水花免职准备并且扔技术。Al-Zn-Mg-Cu 合金的微观结构用扫描电子显微镜学，传播电子显微镜学，和 X 光检查衍射被学习。在水花免职和常规演员组准备的合金的微观结构的第二等的阶段被检验。结果显示在常规扔条件下面，合金的微观结构揭示了粗糙的 Al/Mg ( ZnCu )的存在扔的 2 个最容易溶解的阶段，和水花处理原因在尺寸的明显的修正，形态学，并且在分离的微观结构以及减小的第二等的阶段的分发。扔水花的 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu 合金的优异微观结构被归因于高冷却率，并且与快速的团结过程联系了。

Effect of minor Sc and Zr on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

A series of Al-8.2Zn-2.1Mg-2.3Cu based as-cast alloys and some plates with thickness of 4 mm containing minor Sc and Zr were prepared. The effect of joint addition of minor Sc and Zr on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were investigated by using OM, SEM with EDS and TEM. The results show that by adding 0.18% Zr (mass fraction) in the cast alloy, the grains can be refined to a certain degree, and by adding 0.18% Sc a little as well. Adding Sc and Zr can generate strong grain refinement effect and obtain a fine equiaxed grain structure, because primary Al3(ScxZr1- )precipitation forms in front of the x a-Al grains. The microstructure and tensile test results show that 0.18% addition of Zr does not bring higher tensile strength and elongation to the alloy of adding Sc, but a better inhibition to recrystallization. Recrystallization inhibiting effect is the strongest in the alloys with joint addition of Sc and Zr. When the content of Zr is unchanged, the strength and elongation of the alloys increase with increasing Sc addition. The increase of strength and elongation in the alloys is related to the refine grain strengthening, precipitation particles strengthening and substructure strengthening principles.

Influence of cerium on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

Effect of element cerium (Ce) on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hardness test. The results show that addition of Ce can remarkably refine the as-cast grains and eutectic microstructure. A transformation from Mg(Zn,Cu,Al)2 phase to Al2CuMg phase is observed during homogenization. Furthermore, the Ce addition introduces changes in the precipitation process and consequently in the age-hardening behavior of the alloy. Microstructural measurements reveal that the addition of Ce promotes the precipitation of η' phase, but it also partly retards the precipitation of GP zones. The density of precipitates decreases in a certain degree and rod-like η' precipitates increase when Ce content is from 0.2% to 0.4% (mass fraction).