A Review of Progress in the Study of Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu) Wrought Alloys

Abstract

Modern industrial development has put forward higher demands on the performance of metallic structural materials, especially in terms of light weight, high strength and corrosion resistance. All of these characteristics are of particular importance in transportation fields. As one of the most representative structural materials, aluminum and alloys have exhibited significant advantages in light weight. Most of the alloys are prominently featured in one specific aspect. The overall performance still needs to be improved. In recent years, researchers have developed Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu) alloy, a new wrought aluminum alloy, whose design strategy is known as “crossover alloying”. This novel alloy is an age-hardened Al-Mg alloy with a T-Mg32(Al, X)49 (X is Zn, Cu) phase as the main strengthening phase. This system of alloys exhibits excellent properties in terms of strength and corrosion resistance, which makes it promising for applications in automotive, marine, aerospace and other fields. This paper summarizes the research progress of Al-Mg-Zn(-Cu) alloy, and analyzes the basic methods of microstructural control in terms of composition design and property research. Finally, the future directions of this alloy are proposed.

Effect of Retrogression with Different Cooling Ways on the Microstructure and Properties of T’/η’ Strengthened Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

“…The T' phase is recognized as the main strengthening precipitate in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys featuring lower Zn/Mg ratios [17]. Studies [18][19][20][21] on T' phasestrengthened Al-Mg-Zn-Cu alloys have revealed the remarkable potential for age-hardening responses. Moreover, the reduced potential difference between T' phases at grain boundaries and the Al matrix enhances corrosion resistance compared to η' phase-strengthened alloys [22][23][24].…”

High-Temperature Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Ultrathin 3003mod Aluminum Alloy Fins

“…Minor additions of Cd, Cr and Si content also Metals 2024, 14, 142 2 of 14 considerably improved mechanical strength after heating to between 350 and 600 • C due to the finer size, higher density, lower diffusivity and more homogeneous distribution of dispersoids [13]. Zinc is a common alloying element used in aluminum alloys to improve their strength, but it reduces the conductivity, ductility, weldability and fracture toughness by segregating along grain boundaries, enhancing the solute dragging effect and forming zinc-containing phases [14][15][16][17]. However, due to the small difference in atomic radius between Al and Zn, and the limited solid solubility of Zn in aluminum up to 32.8%, adding 1-2 wt.% Zn to aluminum mkaes little contribution to the mechanical properties of the alloy [18].…”

Numerical Simulation of Liquid Film Characteristics during Atomization of Aluminum Alloy Powder

“…In the field of aerospace, aluminum alloy is the main structural material in spacecrafts such as launch vehicles and space stations and is also an important material for missiles and other weapon systems. As the fundamental component of manufacturing technology, the development of better-performing materials is a top priority [1][2][3]. As for the advanced manufacturing technology for components, additive manufacturing technology is based on a digital model, which forms parts by "point-by-point-line-by-layer" laser melting [4,5].…”