The Effects of Zn, Cu and Mg Elements on Ageing, Microstructure and Hardness in Al Alloys Produced by P/M Method

In this study, two different compositions contain pure Al, Zn, Cu and Mg were produced by powder metallurgy. Alloying process of powders was carried out by mechanical grinding. The powders were pressed under 800 MPa and sintered in high purity argon atmosphere at 600ºC after pressing process. Solution heat treatment were applied to sintered samples at 480ºC and then rapid quenching was performed. For quenched samples; Ageing process was carried out at 120ºC for 3h periods totally 12h. FESEM, Element Dispersion Spectrometry, Mapping (MAP) and microhardness measurement were performed on samples to investigate the effects of ageing and sintering. As a result, the ageing process leads to increased hardness due to the homogeneously dispersed secondary precipitates that form internally in the microstructure