Impact of Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Performance of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy Thin Sheets

Abstract

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, recognized for its heat-treatable and super-high strength, is a pivotal material for critical structural components in aviation. Consequently, grasping the intricate relationship between heat treatment processes and the microstructural characteristics and properties of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is of paramount practical significance. This study encompasses a spectrum of heat treatment methodologies, delving into the diverse effects of distinct aging treatments on the microstructure and performance of thin Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy sheets. The findings illuminate that short natural aging treatments bestow heightened strength and hardness upon the alloy, albeit at the expense of ductility. Nevertheless, the alloy retains commendable malleability, enabling significant cold deformation. In contrast, artificial aging markedly elevates the alloy’s strength and hardness, albeit concurrently inducing a precipitous decline in ductility, thereby attenuating the alloy’s cold formability.