The Microstructure of Rapidly Solidified Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys with Zr Addition

The effect of rapid solidification on the microstructure of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with 8 wt.% Zn-2 wt.% Mg-2.3 wt.% Cu and 0.2 or 0.5 wt.% of Zr additions were investigated using X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis. Rapidly solidified ribbons with thickness of 70-100 m were performed by melt spinning technique. The mould cast alloys as well as the melt spun ribbons revealed dendritic microstructure of (Al) solid solution and η Mg(Zn,Cu)2 phase in interdendritic areas. The refinement of the microstructure and reduction of the volume fraction of the η phase up to 1.7%, as compared to 4% in the mould cast alloys was observed in the ribbons. Copper dissolution up to about 20 wt % in the η phase causes a decrease of the lattice parameters. The Al3Zr primary precipitates were observed in the mould cast alloy containing 0.5 wt % of Zr while in the ribbons all zirconium dissolved in the aluminium solid solution.