Effects of Cu Addition on the Precipitation Process of Al-9Zn-4Mg-xCu (wt. %) Alloys at 130°C

Abstract

Aluminium is a light-weight material and possesses high corrosion resistance, so that it is widely used in manufacturing industries. The Al-Zn series have the highest strength compared to other aluminium alloys. To further increase the strength of Al-Zn alloys, Mg and Cu are added and age hardening treatment is applied. This research studied the precipitation process in Al-9Zn-4Mg (wt. %) alloys with Cu content of 0, 1, 3 and 5 wt.%. The alloys were produced through investment casting taking the shape of turbine impeller. The samples were solution treated at 460 °C for 2 hours and then aged at 130 °C. The characterization included hardness testing to observe response of age hardening, microstructural observation and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) testing. Microstructural observation was conducted by optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which was combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that addition of Cu initially decreased the hardness during early ageing (2 hours) due to segregation of Cu-V complexes toward the grain boundaries which then decreased the hardness and enlarged the grain boundary phases. However, the peak hardness of the alloys was not affected by the increase in Cu content. due to high concentration of Zn and Mg. Exothermic reactions of formation of GP zones, η", η' and η (MgZn2) were found during precipitation process while endothermic reaction were observed due to dissolution of the phases. Presence of MgZn2 and Al7Cu2Fe second phases were observed in grain boundaries.