Influence of zirconium and copper on the early stages of aging in Al-Zn-Mgallays

The effects of zirconium and copper on the early stages of the precipitatio n processes in an Al-5.5 wt pct Zn-1.2 wt pct Mg alloy have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis. Electron diffrac tion has been used as a complementary technique to aid in the interpretatio n of the thermal effects observed in the DSC thermograms. The results show that the initial stages of Guinier-Preston zone I (GP(I)) formation at room temperature are not affected by the presence of zirconium, but the rate of Guinier-Preston zone II (GP(II)) precipitation is slowed down significantl y. For aging at 100 degreesC, the stability of GP zones is reduced by the a ddition of zirconium, and this leads to a reduction in the amount of eta' p roduced during aging. The addition of copper to an Al-5.4 wt pct Zn-1.2 wt pct Mg-0.2 wt pct Zr alloy intensifies the electron diffraction spots from GP(I), suggesting that the strong electron-scatterer copper may be incorpor ated into GP zones. The rate of growth of GP(I) at room temperature is unaf fected by the presence of copper, but the rate of formation of GP(II) at ro om temperature is retarded. For artificial aging at 100 degreesC, the devel opment of GP(I) and GP(II) is not affected significantly by the presence of copper, but the formation of eta' is stimulated, producing a high number d ensity of very fine eta' precipitates. Preaging at room temperature results in accelerated eta' formation during subsequent aging at 100 degreesC in t he zirconium-containing alloy. However, this acceleration of eta' formation is absent when copper is present in the alloy.