QUANTITATIVE METALLOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF M ICROSTRUCTURE OF AN AL-CU-LI-ZR ALLOY

The microstructure of an Al-Cu-Li-Zr alloy was investigated with the a im to contribute to the explanation of differences between extremal va lues of strength in the cross-section of the extrudates. The semiprodu ct was manufactured by hot extrusion and then thermally treated by sol ution treatment, stretching and artificial ageing. Quantitative assess ment of microstructure was carried out by means of light microscopy ei ther automatically using an image analyzer or applying conventional ma nual methods. Possible causes both or different strength between selec ted regions of the extrudate and differences in quantitative metallogr aphical characteristics as detected by applied experimental methods ar e discussed.