Abstract
The distribution and composition of solute-rich features in peak aged Al-Mg-Si-Cu-(Zn) alloys was investigated via three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) analysis. Our results show that a heterogeneous microstructure can be readily attained via Zn additions with concomitant improvement in the strength, elongation and strain hardening of peak aged alloy. Moreover, Zn partitioning into solute-rich features with a higher Mg/Si ratio (2.46–2.81) and higher number density were observed in the Zn-containing alloy and attributed to strong interactions among Mg, Si, Cu and Zn atoms. The formation of heterogeneous microstructure in the Zn-containing alloy was rationalized due to an increased tendency for clustering.
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