Effect of Pre-Aging on the Microstructure and Strength of Supersaturated AlZnMg Alloys Processed by ECAP

Abstract:

This work is focused on the effect of the combination of natural aging and severe plastic deformation (SPD) produced by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) on the microstructure and strength of supersaturated AlZnMg alloys. Following a solution heat-treatment and quenching into water at room temperature, samples were naturally aged for different time periods and then processed by ECAP. The microstructure and mechanical properties of these samples are described and discussed. This investigation leads to proposing an interesting application of ECAP for supersaturated alloys. Using the shear bands created by ECAP in only one pass and applying appropriate subsequent aging treatments, composite-like microstructures can be achieved in conventional age-hardenanble Al alloys.