Microstructure Properties of Rapidly Solidified Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

Abstract

The Rietveld X-ray diffraction analysis was applied to analyze the weight fraction of precipitation phases and microstructure characterizations of rapidly solidified Al-8Zn-4Mg- x Cu, x = 1, 4, 8, and 10 alloys (in wt.%), prepared by melt spun technique. A good agreement between observed and calculated diffraction pattern was obtained and the conventional Rietveld factors ( R p , R w p , and GOF) converged to satisfactory values. Solid solubilities of Zn, Mg, and Cu in α -Al were extended to high values. Besides, metastable Al 0.71 Zn 0.29 , intermetallic Al 2 CuMg, Al 2 Cu, and CuMgZn phases have been observed for x = 4, 8, and 10 Cu alloys. The crystal structure and microstructure characterizations exhibit strong Cu content dependence.