The structure changes proceeding in an Al15 at% Zn alloy at temperatures Ta ranging between 80 and 250°C are investigated by SAXS in steps of 10 K. The main results are the following: (i) the critical temperature, T GPZdiss, for the dissolution of Guinier‐Preston (GP) zones is placed at T GPZdiss = (235 ± 5)°C, i.e., about 10 K higher than the upper limit temperature, Trhn, for the onset of the rapid homogeneous nucleation of precipitates, (ii) it is proved that below Trhn GP zones are the first product of decomposition. Consequently the existence field of the GP zones is more extended as believed by many authors.
The existence field of Guinier‐Preston (GP) zones, viz. the upper limit temperatures of their formation ThnGPZ as well as stability TdissGPZ, are investigated by SAXS experiments in five Al–(10 to 18) at% Zn alloys. The main results are the following: (i) GP zones are doubtlessly the first product of decomposition homogeneously nucleated during continuous cooling from the range of homogeneity. (ii) The temperature stability of the GP zones is increasing with their sizes. (iii) TdissGPZ is larger than ThnGPZ. (iv) The two curves, viz. TdissGPZ versus xZn and the zinc content of the matrix xZnm in metastable equilibrium with GP zones versus T, are in good agreement.
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