Effect of Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Al-1.5Cu-9.5Zn-3Mg Rapidly Solidified Alloy

Ribbons with the composition Al-1.5Cu-9.5Zn-3Mg were prepared by melt spinning technique. Microhardness and ten-sile strength were measured. The melt spun hardness and ultimate tensile strength values were as high as 291 HV and 660 MN/m2, respectively. Hardness values are relaxed to lower values on prolonged thermal annealing to around 50%. X-ray diffraction lines corresponding to Cu, Zn and Mg were disappeared for the as melt spun ribbons, which indicates a complete solubility of these element in Al matrix. On prolonged thermal annealing these alloying elements were pre-cipitated