TEM study of continuous precipitation in Mg-9 Wt%Al-l Wt%Zn alloy

The development of continuous precipitate morphology in heat-treated Mg-9 wt%Al-1 wt%Zn alloy (AZ91) for a range of ageing temperatures is investigated in detail using TEM. The matrix/precipitate orientation relationships (ORs), sizes, shapes and the number of precipitates per unit volume (N-V) are described for ageing at temperatures from 70 to 300 degrees C. Most of the continuous precipitates have a Burgers OR and are plate-shaped with the primary habit plane parallel to the basal plane of the matrix. These precipitates are initially lozenge-shaped plates that elongate with time at temperature to become long laths. Two other smaller populations of precipitates that have ORs different from the Burgers OR are also present. These precipitates are rod-shaped with their long direction either perpendicular to or inclined to the basal plane. The relationship between the continuous precipitate morphology and the hardness response is discussed and comparisons are made with high-strength aluminium alloys. (C) 2000 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.