Influence of quenching conditions on the mechanical and structural properties of Al–30 wt% Zn alloy

The present study aims at determining the effect of quenching condition on the mechanical and microstructure properties of Al–30 wt% Zn alloy. Creep curves of slowly cooled and quenched Al–30 wt% Zn alloys were studied at the temperature ranging from 508 to 578 K under constant applied stress. Results of both transient and steady state creep indicated a transition point at 548 K. Transient and steady state creep parameters of the quenched samples were found to be smaller than those of the slowly cooled samples. The activation energy of the transient and steady state creep amounted to 27 and 29 kJ/mol, respectively, before the transition deformation temperature (548 K) due to dislocation mechanism. The energy activating the transient and steady state creep steady state creep in the high temperature region (above the transformation temperature) characterizing as dislocation climb.