Effect of T6 heat treatment on microstructure and hardness of nanosized Al2O3 reinforced 7075 aluminum matrix composites

Abstract

In this study, 7075 aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 1.5 wt.% nanosized Al2O3 were fabricated by ultrasonic vibration. The effect of T6 heat treatment on both microstructure and hardness of nanosized Al2O3 reinforced 7075 (Al2O3np/7075) composites were studied via scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and hardness tests. The Mg(Zn,Cu,Al)2 phases gradually dissolved into the matrix under solution treatment at 480◦C for 5 h. However, the morphology and size of Al7Cu2Fe phases remained unchanged due to their high melting points. Furthermore, the slenderness strips MgZn2 phases precipitated under aging treatment at 120◦C for 24 h. Compared to as-cast composites, the hardness of the sample under T6 heat treatment was increased ~52%. The strengthening mechanisms underlying the achieved hardness of composites are revealed.