Microstructure and mechanical properties of Zn–15Al–3Cu alloy subjected to thermomechanical treatments
Journal of Alloys and Compounds, cilt.1084, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 1084
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2026.191943
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Alloys and Compounds
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Mechanical properties, Microstructure, Multi-directional forging, Quench-aging treatment, Severe plastic deformation, Zn–15Al–3Cu alloy
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In this study, two novel thermomechanical treatments were developed to improve both the strength and ductility of the Zn–15Al–3Cu alloy. The processing route for Treatment 1 involved severe plastic deformation after casting, followed by quenching and aging treatments, whereas the processing route for Treatment 2 consisted of severe plastic deformation after quenching, followed by aging. Their effects on the microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of this alloy were systematically explored, and the results obtained were compared with those of its conventionally aged state. The microstructure of the as-cast sample of the alloy was observed to consist of β phase, eutectic and eutectoid transformation products of zinc and aluminum-rich α + η phase mixture, along with primary zinc-rich η phases and a copper-rich ε compound. The conventional aging treatment had no distinct effect on the shape of the primary η phase; however, it led to the formation of mainly elongated and, equiaxed α and η grains, as well as nanoscale Zn- and Cu/Al- rich precipitates in the microstructure of the alloy. Thermomechanical treatments resulted in breaking up the primary η and created more equiaxed α and η grains distributed homogenously in alloy microstructure, but they had no distinct effect on their size. All treatments increased the hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the as-cast alloy. However, the alloy samples subjected to thermomechanical treatment exhibited greater elongation than the as-cast and conventionally aged samples. The microstructural changes observed in the alloy were explained in terms of phase transformations, while the improvements in its mechanical properties were attributed to these microstructural alterations.