| Abstract Scope |
The Al-Zn-Mg alloys have recently gained significant attention from the aerospace and automotive industries due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, the casting process often gives rise to critical issues, such as macro-segregation and heat cracks caused by excessive solutes during fabrication. Consequently, the production of large-sized billets or ingots of high quality becomes a challenge. In this study, Al-Zn-Mg alloys with Zn contents exceeding 10 wt.% were fabricated via powder metallurgical routes including the gas atomization, mechanical milling, and consolidation process. The aging responses and resulting mechanical properties of the Al-Zn-Mg alloys was investigated based on the processing parameters. These parameters have a crucial impact on the dislocation density and distribution within the alloy, thereby influencing the precipitation behavior. Therefore, by optimizing the processing parameters and controlling the dislocation configuration in Al-Zn-Mg alloys with a high Zn concentration, a high level of strength can be achieved. |