Abstract:Phase fraction and solidification path of high Zn-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu series aluminum alloy were calculated by calculation of phase diagram (CALPHAD) method. Microstructure and phases of Al-9.2Zn-1.7Mg-2.3Cu alloy were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The calculation results show that η(MgZn₂) phase is influenced by Zn and Mg. Mass fractions of η(MgZn₂) in Al-xZn-1.7Mg-2.3Cu are 10.0%, 9.8% and 9.2% for x=9.6, 9.4, 8.8 (mass fraction, %), respectively. The intervals of Mg composition were achieved for θ(Al₂Cu)+η(MgZn₂), S(Al₂CuMg)+η(MgZn₂) and θ(Al₂Cu)+S(Al₂CuMg)+η(MgZn₂) phase regions. Al₃Zr, α(Al), Al₁₃Fe₄, η(MgZn₂), α-AlFeSi, Al₇Cu₂Fe, θ(Al₂Cu), Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₆ precipitate in sequence by no-equilibrium calculation. The SEM and XRD analyses reveal that α(Al), η(MgZn₂), Mg(Al,Cu,Zn)₂, θ(Al₂Cu) and Al₇Cu₂Fe phases are discovered in Al-9.2Zn-1.7Mg-2.3Cu alloy. The thermodynamic calculation can be used to predict the major phases present in experiment.

Key words: thermodynamic calculation; high-zinc alloy; Al-Zn-Mg-Cu; calculation of phase diagram (CALPHAD)