Effects of the enhanced heat treatment on the mechanical properties and stress corrosion behavior of an Al–Zn–Mg alloy

In this article, the effects of the enhanced solution treatment (EST) and high-temperature pre-precipitation (HTPP) on the microstructures, mechanical properties, and stress corrosion cracking resistance of an Al–Zn–Mg alloy have been investigated. The results indicated that EST and HTPP can substantially affect the microstructures of the alloy. The width of the continuously distributed grain boundary precipitates decreases after the EST, while the continuous grain boundary precipitation changes to a discontinuous precipitation structure after both the EST and HTPP. The yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and fracture toughness of the specimens after the EST are much higher than those of the specimens only after traditional solution treatment, since the EST substantially decreases the size and volume fraction of the constituents. The stress corrosion cracking resistance of the specimens after both the EST and HTPP has been greatly improved due to the discontinuous distribution, and high Cu and low Mg concentrations of the grain boundary precipitates.