Effect of Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of As-Rolled Al-8.2Zn-2.0Mg-2.3Cu Alloy
摘要
This study looks at how different aging treatments—T6, two-stage aging (TSA), and tertiary aging (TEA)—affect the microstructure and properties of the rolled Al-8.2Zn-2.0Mg-2.3Cu alloy. The results show that both the T6 and TEA samples are primarily consisting of η′ phase and GPII zone, with the average radius of the η′ phase in TEA sample which is slightly increased; the TSA sample contains GPII zone, η′ phase, and MgZnCu phase. The T6 sample has the smallest size and the highest number of the precipitates, leading to the best mechanical performance with a ultimate tensile strength of 757.3 ± 14.7 MPa, yield strength of 666.4 ± 15.2 MPa, and elongation of 12.4%. The strength of the TEA sample is slightly lower than those of the T6 sample, while the TEA sample shows the best corrosion resistance, where the Ecorr, Icorr values, and maximum intergranular corrosion depth are − 1332 mV, 28.2 μA cm−2, and 97.3 ± 4.5 μm, respectively. This exceptional synergy of strength-ductility-corrosion resistance in the TEA sample originates from two key microstructural features: (i) the narrowest precipitate-free zones and (ii) its precipitate volume fraction, density, and size distribution similar to the T6.