Effect of quench ageing treatment on the microstructure and properties of Zn-15Al-3Cu alloy

OpenAlex İngilizce

Abstract In order to determine the effect of quench–ageing treatment on the microstructure and properties of Zn-15Al-3Cu alloy, it was prepared by permanent mould casting and then solution treated at a temperature of 330 °C, quenched and aged at 180 °C. The changes in the microstructure, length, hardness, strength and ductility of the quenched alloy were monitored during ageing. The microstructure of the alloy in the as-cast condition consisted of β dendrites and α, η and ∊ phases. However, solution treatment followed by quenching removed the lamellar microstructure of the alloy and produced a supersaturated β solid solution. Subsequent ageing resulted in transformation of β solid solution to α and η phases and conversion of metastable ∊ phase to stable T′ compound. Appropriate ageing times for T6 and T7 heat treatments of this alloy have been determined according to the experimental results.