Skip to main content

Mechanical properties and thermal stability of 7055 Al alloy by minor Sc addition

Rare Metals volume 39, pages 725–732 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of 0.25 wt% Sc addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AA 7055 alloy. The addition of Sc obviously refined the grains of AA 7055 alloy during casting, homogenizing, rolling, solution, and aging treatments due to the formation of primary and precipitate Al3(Sc,Zr) phase. The recrystallization and precipitation of AA 7055 alloy were inhibited during heat treatments by Sc addition. The Sc-containing AA 7055 alloy exhibited higher thermal stability than AA 7055 alloy during homogenizing treatment, because of the grain boundary pinning effect of nano-sized Al3(Sc,Zr) particles. Given its structure characteristics such as fine grains, fine η′ phase, and less η phase, AA 7055 alloy with added Sc showed good mechanical properties after aging at 120 °C for 24 h, with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 679 MPa and elongation (EL) of 14%. This work provides an effective strategy to fabricate Al–Zn–Mg(–Cu) series (7xxx) alloys with excellent mechanical properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

References

  1. Wei LL, Pan QL, Huang HF, Feng L, Wang YL. Influence of grain structure and crystallographic orientation on fatigue crack propagation behavior of 7050 alloy thick plate. Int J Fatigue. 2014;66(9):55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zuo JR, Hou LG, Shi JT, Cui H, Zhuang LZ, Zhang JS. Enhanced plasticity and corrosion resistance of high strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy processed by an improved thermomechanical processing. J Alloys Compd. 2017;716(9):220.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wei LL, Pan QL, Wang YL, Feng L, Huang HF. Characterization of fracture and fatigue behavior of 7050 aluminum alloy ultra-thick plate. J Mater Eng Perform. 2013;22(9):2665.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu SD, Zhang XM, Chen MA, You JH. Influence of aging on quench sensitivity effect of 7055 aluminum alloy. Mater Charact. 2008;59(1):53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang M, Liu T, He CN, Ding J, Liu EZ, Shi CS, Li JJ, Zhao NQ. Evolution of microstructure and properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr alloy during aging treatment. J Alloys Compd. 2016;658(2):946.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Deng Y, Yin ZM, Duan JQ, Zhao K, Tang B, He ZB. Evolution of microstructure and properties in a new type 2 mm Al–Zn–Mg–Sc–Zr alloy sheet. J Alloys Compd. 2012;517(2):118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Huang HF, Jiang F, Zhou J, Wei LL, Zhong MC, Liu XT. Hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of as-homogenized Al–6Mg–0.4Mn–0.25Sc–0.1Zr alloy during compression at elevated temperature. J Alloys Compd. 2015;644(9):862.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhou WB, Liu CY, Yu PF, Zhang B, Ma ZY, Luo K, Ma MZ, Liu RP. Effect of scandium on microstructure and mechanical properties of high zinc concentration aluminum alloys. Mater Charact. 2017;127(5):371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Li B, Pan QL, Huang X, Yin ZM. Microstructures and properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Mn alloy with trace amounts of Sc and Zr. Mater Sci Eng A. 2014;616(10):219.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Li G, Zhao NQ, Liu T, Li JJ, He CN, Shi CS, Liu EZ, Sha JW. Effect of Sc/Zr ratio on the microstructure and mechanical properties of new type of Al–Zn–Mg–Sc–Zr alloys. Mater Sci Eng A. 2014;617(11):219.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Chen Y, Liu CY, Zhang B, Ma ZY, Zhou WB, Jiang HJ, Huang HF, Wei LL. Effects of friction stir processing and minor Sc addition on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping capacity of 7055 Al alloy. Mater Charact. 2018;135(1):25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Chanyathunyaroj K, Patakham U, Kou S, Limmaneevichit C. Mechanical properties of squeeze-cast Al–7Si–0.3Mg alloys with Sc-modified Fe-rich intermetallic compounds. Rare Met. 2018;37(9):769.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Sun SP, Li XP, Yang J, Wang HJ, Jiang Y, Yi DQ. Point defect concentrations of L12-Al3X(Sc, Zr, Er). Rare Met. 2018;37(8):699.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Chen BA, Liu G, Wang RH, Zhang JY, Jiang L, Song JJ, Sun J. Effect of interfacial solute segregation on ductile fracture of Al–Cu–Sc alloys. Acta Mater. 2013;61(5):1676.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chen BA, Pan L, Wang RH, Liu G, Cheng PM, Xiao L, Sun J. Effect of solution treatment on precipitation behaviors and age hardening response of Al–Cu alloys with Sc addition. Mater Sci Eng A. 2011;530(12):607.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Jiang L, Li JK, Cheng PM, Liu G, Wang RH, Chen BA, Zhang JY, Sun J, Yang MX, Yang G. Experiment and modeling of ultrafast precipitation in an ultrafine-grained Al–Cu–Sc alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2014;607(6):596.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Jiang L, Li JK, Liu G, Wang RH, Chen BA, Zhang JY, Sun J, Yang MX, Yang G, Yang J, Cao XZ. Length-scale dependent microalloying effects on precipitation behaviors and mechanical properties of Al–Cu alloys with minor Sc addition. Mater Sci Eng A. 2015;637(6):139.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Deng Y, Xu GF, Yin ZM, Lei XF, Huang JW. Effects of Sc and Zr microalloying additions on the recrystallization texture and mechanism of Al–Zn–Mg alloys. J Alloys Compd. 2013;580(12):412.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Avtokratova E, Sitdikov O, Markushev M, Mulyukov R. Extraordinary high-strain rate superplasticity of severely deformed Al–Mg–Sc–Zr alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2012;538(10):386.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Deng Y, Yin ZM, Zhao K, Duan JQ, He ZB. Effects of Sc and Zr microalloying additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of new Al–Zn–Mg alloys. J Alloys Compd. 2012;530(7):71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wu LM, Seyring M, Rettenmayr M, Wang WH. Characterization of precipitate evolution in an artificially aged Al–Zn–Mg–Sc–Zr alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2010;527(4–5):1068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Liu CY, Qu B, Ma ZY, Ma MZ, Liu RP. Recrystallization, precipitation, and resultant mechanical properties of rolled Al–Zn alloy after aging. Mater Sci Eng A. 2016;657(3):284.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Wang D, Ni DR, Ma ZY. Effect of pre-strain and two-step aging on microstructure and stress corrosion cracking of 7050 alloy. Mater Sci Eng A. 2008;494(1–2):360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Wang D, Ma ZY, Gao ZM. Effects of severe cold rolling on tensile properties and stress corrosion cracking of 7050 aluminum alloy. Mater Chem Phys. 2009;117(1):228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Wang D, Ma ZY. Effect of pre-strain on microstructure and stress corrosion cracking of over-aged 7050 aluminum alloy. J Alloys Compd. 2009;469(1–2):445.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Deng Y, Peng B, Xu GF, Pan QL, Yin ZM, Ye R, Wang YJ, Lu LY. Effects of Sc and Zr on mechanical property and microstructure of tungsten inert gas and friction stir welded aerospace high strength Al–Zn–Mg alloys. Mater Sci Eng A. 2015;639(7):500.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lefebvre W, Danoix F, Hallem H, Forbord B, Bostel A, Marthinsen K. Precipitation kinetic of Al3(Sc, Zr) dispersoids in aluminium. J Alloy Compd. 2009;470(1–2):107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Knipling KE, Karnesky RA, Lee CP, Dunand DC, Seidman DN. Precipitation evolution in Al–0.1Sc, Al–0.1Zr and Al–0.1Sc–0.1Zr (at%) alloys during isochronal aging. Acta Mater. 2010;58(15):5184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. He ZB, Yin ZM, Lin S, Deng Y, Shang BC, Zhou X. Preparation, microstructure and properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Sc alloy tubes. J Rare Earths. 2010;28(4):641.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zuo JR, Hou LG, Shi JT, Cui H, Zhuang LZ, Zhang JS. Effect of deformation induced precipitation on grain refinement and improvement of mechanical properties AA 7055 aluminum alloy. Mater Charact. 2017;130(8):123.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51601045), the Research Program of Science and Technology of Guangxi (No. GKAB16380021) and the Guangxi “Bagui” Teams for Innovation and Research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metal and Materials, Ministry of Education, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China

    Chong-Yu Liu, Guang-Biao Teng, Li-Li Wei, Hong-Feng Huang & Hai-Quan Qi

  2. Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China

    Chong-Yu Liu & Zong-Yi Ma

  3. Alnan Aluminium Co., Ltd, Nanning, 530000, China

    Wen-Biao Zhou

Authors
  1. Chong-Yu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guang-Biao Teng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zong-Yi Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Li-Li Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wen-Biao Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hong-Feng Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hai-Quan Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zong-Yi Ma.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, CY., Teng, GB., Ma, ZY. et al. Mechanical properties and thermal stability of 7055 Al alloy by minor Sc addition. Rare Met. 39, 725–732 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-018-1190-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-018-1190-z

Keywords

  • Al alloy
  • Sc addition
  • Microstructure
  • Mechanical properties