Papers by Keyword: Al-Zn-Mg Alloy

Abstract: We have developed a new testing device which is capable of detecting hydrogen gas release during slow strain rate tensile testing (SSRT) under ordinary pressure. The device is composed of an SSRT machine equipped with a closed chamber with an inspection window that is connected to gas chromatography with a semiconductor hydrogen sensor. Local strain distribution in the specimen during the SSRT is monitored dynamically with a digital image correlation (DIC) method. Hydrogen was pre-charged to aluminum alloys by means of friction in water process. Using the device, it was shown that hydrogen was released particularly in the stage of plastic deformation and fracture. In addition, the hydrogen gas release at the moment of fracture was clearly increased when the alloys were hydrogen-charged and tested at a slow strain rate. When we calculated hydrogen gas release from the fracture surface in Al-Zn-Mg base alloys tested at 3.3×10^-6 s^-1, the hydrogen amount was estimated to be 6.24×10^-10 mol /mm² in a hydrogen-uncharged alloy, and 1.30×10^-9 mol / mm² in a hydrogen-charged alloy.

Abstract: In the current study, consequence of ECAP on the toughness characteristics of the Al-Zn-Mg alloys was studied. Three set of Al-Zn-Mg alloys (5, 10 and 15% Zn and 2% Mg) were selected and ECAPed. Also, consequence of zinc on the toughness characteristics of the alloy, before and after ECAP was studied. After ECAP, grain size of the alloys decreased and significant rise in the strength and ductility of the alloys were noticed. Mainly, modulus of toughness of the alloys increased with successive ECAP passes. But, the modulus of toughness of the alloys decreased with rise in the zinc in the material.

Abstract: In the present work, Al-Zn-Mg alloy having highest zinc content was deformed by one of the severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and effect of ECAP on the microstructure evolution and the wear properties were studied. ECAP was performed in a split die and the channels of the die are intersecting at an angle of 120º. ECAP was attempted at least possible temperature and the alloy was successfully ECAPed at 423 K. Below this temperature samples were failed in the first pass itself. After ECAP, significant drop in the grain size was reported. Also, ECAP leads to significant raise in the microhardness of the alloy. Predominantly, after ECAP, upsurge in the wear resistance of the alloy was noticed. To figure out the response of ECAP on the wear properties of the alloy; worn surfaces of the wear test samples were analyzed in SEM.

Abstract: In this paper, the effect of Sc addition (0.06 wt%) on the corrosion behavior of medium strength Al-Zn-Mg alloy is investigated by mass loss measurements, electrochemical experiment, intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion tests. The results indicate the addition of Sc reduces the relative weight loss and enhances pitting performance as a result of grain refinement. The improved intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion resistance caused by minor Sc addition are mainly attributed to the delay in both the initiation and advance stages of local corrosion.

Abstract: Al-Zn-Mg alloy has been known as one of the aluminum alloys with the good age-hardening ability and the high strength among commercial aluminum alloys. The mechanical property of the limited ductility, however, is required to further improvement. In this work, three alloys, which were added Cu or Ag into the Al-Zn-Mg alloy, were prepared to compare the effect of the additional elements on the aging behavior. The content of Ag and Cu were 0.2at.% and the same as, respectively. Ag or Cu added alloy showed higher maximum hardness than base alloy. The particle shape and rod shape precipitates were observed in all alloys peak-aged at 423K. According to addition of Ag or Cu, the number density of the precipitates increased higher than that of base alloy.

Abstract: Our former experimental study showed that the addition of Er to Al-Zn-Mg alloys speeded up the aging precipitation, accelerated the precipitation of and enhanced the effect of aging strengthening distinctively. In this paper, the Monte Carlo method was applied to simulate the microstructural evolution of Al-2.6Zn-(2.3Mg)-(0.07Er), Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg-(0.12Er), and Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg-0.1(Er,Zr) alloys during aging. The effects of Er addition to Al-Zn-Mg alloys on the clustering of Zn and Mg atoms are studied through analysis of the simulation results and the effects on the subsequent aging process are discussed as well. The results show that the Zn/Mg/Er clusters appear beside the Zn clusters, Mg clusters and Zn/Mg clusters in the Er addition Al-Zn-Mg alloys. The Zn clusters and Zn/Mg clusters are finer in the Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg-xEr alloys than that in the Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg alloys without Er addition. The size of the Zn clusters and Zn/Mg clusters in the Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg-0.07Er is eight percent and nineteen percent smaller than that in the Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg alloys without Er addition respectively. This precipitation refinement effect of Er addition to the Al-2.6Zn-2.3Mg alloys is enhanced with the increment of Er content. These above results are consistent with the experimental results that the precipitation in the Al-Zn-Mg alloys with Er is finer and denser than that in the Al-Zn-Mg alloys without Er. The Er addition changes the clusters distribution in the Al-Zn-Mg alloys by its interaction with the main solute atoms and the vacancy, and thus influences the precipitations during subsequent aging processing.

Abstract: High formability is required to stamp aluminium into complex structural automotive components such as the A-pillar and B-pillar. Formability of an Al-Zn-Mg (AA7xxx) alloy sheet is characterised through hot stamping a prototype part and simulating paint baking procedures. The precipitation behaviour is assessed by differential scanning calorimetry and the tensile properties measured between 350°C and 475°C over a range of strain rates from 0.01s^-1 to 1s^-1. Natural ageing was found to increase the hardness of the hot stamped parts due to the formation of GP zone precipitates. A simulated three step paint baking procedure produced η precipitates and resulted in a yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 480MPa and 512MPa, respectively.

Abstract: Microstructures and mechanical properties of the D-SSF (Deformation Semisolid Forming) processed Al-Zn-Mg alloys with high Fe content up to 2 mass% were investigated. A high ductility alloy even containing 1 mass% Fe was successfully produced by applying the D-SSF process. Especially, the D-SSF processed alloy with 1 mass% Fe was superior to the conventionally processed alloy with Fe-free in the properties of the tensile strength and elongation. These results clearly indicate that the harmful influence by the addition of 1 mass% Fe is effectively modified into not harmful one by applying the D-SSF process. Furthermore, the former liquid phase regions (FLP regions) which are finally solidified during the D-SSF process are completely extinguished by the solution treatment and resultantly the mechanical properties are greatly improved. The extinction process of the FLP regions during the solution treatment was examined using an EBSD method in terms of the crystal orientations of the α-Al grains.

Abstract: Al-Zn-Mg alloy has been known as one of the aluminum alloys with the good age-hardening ability and the high strength among commercial aluminum alloys. The mechanical property of the limited ductility, however, is required to further improvement. In this work, three alloys, which were added Cu or Ag into the Al-Zn-Mg alloy, were prepared to compare the effect of the additional elements on the aging behavior. Ag or Cu added alloy showed higher maximum hardness than Ag or Cu free alloy. The η’ phase were observed in all alloys peak-aged at 423K. According to addition of Ag or Cu, the number density of the precipitates increased than Ag or Cu free alloy.

Abstract: In this study, a laser beam welds in a Al-Zn-Mg alloy were characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and tensile tests. It is found that the joint of the alloy contained three distinctive regions, i.e. fusion zone, heat affected zone and base metal region. The fusion zone consists of small grains, whose size is heterogeneously distributed. Extensive microhardness measurements were conducted in the weld regions of the nuggets exhibited a hardness loss in the fusion zone due to the loss of strengthening phases. Microstructural examination of the joints revealed typical eutectic structure was appeared in the heat-affected zone due to relative low cooling rate. Tensile properties of the joints were obtained by testing flat transverse tensile specimens, and the results indicated that tensile strength of these welds approached 76.8~77.3% of the base metal.