Effect of Al Addition on the Precipitation Behavior of a Binary Mg-Zn Alloy

The effect of Al addition on the precipitation behavior of a binary Mg-Zn alloy was investigated based on the changes in the morphology, distribution and element concentration of precipitates formed during aging treatment. The as-cast Mg-6.0 mass%Zn (Mg-6Zn) and Mg-6.0 mass%Zn-3.0 mass%Al (Al-added) were homogenized at 613 K for 48 h and at 673 K for 12 h; they were then solid solution treated at 673 K for 0.5 h and 1 h, respectively. The Mg-6Zn and Al-added alloys were aged at 403 K and 433 K. The peak hardness of the Al-added alloy was higher than that of the Mg-6Zn alloy at each aging temperature. Rod-like, plate-like, blocky, and lath-like precipitates were observed in the Al-added alloy aged at 433 K for 230.4 ks, although the rod-like and plate-like precipitates were observed in the TEM microstructure of the Mg-6Zn alloy aged at 433 K for 360 ks. Moreover, the precipitates in the Al-added alloy were refined and densely distributed compared with those in the Mg-6Zn alloy. The Cliff-Lorimer plots obtained by the EDS analysis of the rod-like ${\beta}_1^ and plate-like ${\beta}_2^ phases in the Al-added alloy peak aged at 433 K for 230.4 ks were examined. It was confirmed that the ${\beta}_2^ phases had higher concentration of solute Al atom than was present in the ${\beta}_1^ phases, indicating that the properties of precipitates can be changed by Al addition.