X-ray Thermo-Diffraction Study of the Aluminum-Based Multicomponent Alloy Al<sub>58</sub>Zn<sub>28</sub>Si<sub>8</sub>Mg<sub>6</sub>

oleh: Yoana Bilbao, Juan José Trujillo, Iban Vicario, Gurutze Arruebarrena, Iñaki Hurtado, Teresa Guraya

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-07-01

Deskripsi

Newly designed multicomponent light alloys are giving rise to non-conventional microstructures that need to be thoroughly studied before determining their potential applications. In this study, the novel Al<sub>58</sub>Zn<sub>28</sub>Si<sub>8</sub>Mg<sub>6</sub> alloy, previously studied with CALPHAD methods, was cast and heat-treated under several conditions. An analysis of the phase evolution was carried out with in situ X-ray diffraction supported by differential scanning calorimetry and electron microscopy. A total of eight phases were identified in the alloy in the temperature range from 30 to 380 °C: α-Al, α’-Al, Zn, Si, Mg<sub>2</sub>Si, MgZn<sub>2</sub>, Mg<sub>2</sub>Zn<sub>11</sub>, and SrZn<sub>13</sub>. Several thermal transitions below 360 °C were determined, and the natural precipitation of the Zn phase was confirmed after nine months. The study showed that the thermal history can strongly affect the presence of the MgZn<sub>2</sub> and Mg<sub>2</sub>Zn<sub>11</sub> phases. The combination of X-ray thermo-diffraction with CALPHAD methods, differential scanning calorimetry, and electron microscopy offered us a satisfactory understanding of the alloy behavior at different temperatures.