Age Hardening Behavior in Al-8Zn-2Mg-2Cu Wrought Aluminum Alloy

Abstract

Aluminum alloys based on Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system classified under high strength light alloys, find a large scale application in aerospace sector. In the present study, heat treatment of an Aluminum alloy with Al-8Zn-2Mg-2Cu wt.% (AA7449) was carried out. Heat treatment parameters were optimized based on hardness and conductivity measurements. The mechanisms of strengthening in primary and secondary aged states are explained using hardness and conductivity measurements. Conductivity generally showed an increasing trend with increase in aging time, which could be attributed to decrease in the lattice distortion of the Aluminum matrix with increase in aging time. The dissolution of GP zones and formation of other metastable phases like η’ and stable phase like η were found to reduce the supersaturation in the matrix as the precipitation growth and coarsening processes are completed during overaging. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study was carried out to confirm the peak-aging regime. Selected Area Diffraction (SAD) patterns were recorded where GP zones and η’ precipitates were observed in the bright field images to establish their nature. The mechanical properties were correlated with the TEM observations and was suggested that a critical distribution of GP zones and η’ precipitates is essential to achieve peak strength in Al-Zn-Mg alloys.