Abstract
In this study the changes of the hardness and microstructures during aging at 120$^{\cire}C$ of an RS-P/M Al-5.6wt%Zn-2.0wt%Mg-1.3wt%Zr-1.0wt%Mn-0.25wt%Cu alloy were studied using a transmission electron microscopy. The hardness increased rapidly at early stage of aging and reached the maximun when the specimen was aged for 24 hr. The many irregular-shaped $Al_4Mn$ and rod-shaped $Al_6Mn$ dispersoids with 0.1-0.4 $\mu$m in length were observed in the as-extruded alloy. The dark particles with 2-3 nm in size were observed in aged specimen for 5hr and those are thought to be G.P.zones or precursor of $\eta'$ precipitates. In aged specimen for 24 hr, the $\eta'$ phases were distributed homogeneously within the matrix and the PFZ with 30-40 nm in width was observed along the grain boundary. With further aging, the width of PFZ increased and $\eta$ phases were also detected within the matrix.
