Effect of homogenization process on the hardness of Zn–Al–Cu alloys

• Published in: International journal of minerals, metallurgy and materials metallurgy and materials, 2015-10, Vol.22 (10), p.1076-1081
• Main Author: Jose D.Villegas-Cardenas Maribel L.Saucedo-Mu?oz Victor M.Lopez-Hirata Antonio De Ita-De la Torre Erika O.Avila-Davila Jorge Luis Gonzalez-Velazquez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; alloys; casting; hardness; homog; Aluminum base alloys; Ceramics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical composition; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Corrosion and Coatings; Glass; Hardness; Homogenization; Light microscopy; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Natural Materials; Optical microscopy; Process parameters; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Tribology; X-ray diffraction; Zinc; zinc–aluminum–copper
• ISSN: 1674-4799; 1869-103X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12613-015-1170-3

The effect of a homogenizing treatment on the hardness of as-cast Zn–Al–Cu alloys was investigated. Eight alloy compositions were prepared and homogenized at 350 °C for 180 h, and their Rockwell "B" hardness was subsequently measured. All the specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and metallographically prepared for observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the present work indicated that the hardness of both alloys(as-cast and homogenized) increased with increasing Al and Cu contents; this increased hardness is likely related to the presence of the θ and τ′ phases. A regression equation was obtained to determine the hardness of the homogenized alloys as a function of their chemical composition and processing parameters, such as homogenization time and temperature, used in their preparation.