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Microstructure of as-extruded 7136 aluminum alloy and its evolution during solution treatment

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Abstract

With the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), the microstructure of the alloy in as-extruded state and various solution-treated states was investigated. The results indicate that second phase of the as-extruded 7136 aluminum alloy mainly consists of Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)2 and Fe-rich phases. The Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)2 phase directly dissolves into the matrix during solution treatment with various solution temperatures. After solution treated at 475 °C for 1 h, Mg(Zn, Cu, Al)2 phases are dissolved into the matrix, while Fe-rich phases still exist. Fe-rich phases could not dissolve into the matrix by prolonging solution time. The mechanical property test and EBSD observation show that two-stage solution treatment makes no significant improvement in mechanical properties and recrystallization of the alloy. The optimized solution treatment parameter is chosen as 475 °C/1 h.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFB0300903), the National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China (No. 2012CB619504) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51274046).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals and Processes, General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals, Beijing, 100088, China

    Yun-Qiang Fan, Kai Wen, Zhi-Hui Li, Xi-Wu Li, Yong-An Zhang & Bai-Qing Xiong

  2. State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yun-Qiang Fan & Jian-Xin Xie

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  1. Yun-Qiang Fan
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  2. Kai Wen
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  3. Zhi-Hui Li
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Correspondence to Yun-Qiang Fan.

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Fan, YQ., Wen, K., Li, ZH. et al. Microstructure of as-extruded 7136 aluminum alloy and its evolution during solution treatment. Rare Met. 36, 256–262 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-017-0876-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-017-0876-y

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