Influence of Hot Deformation on the Precipitation Hardening of High-Strength Aluminum AA7075 during Thermo-Mechanical Processing

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect hot deformation on aging behavior precipitation-hardenable aluminum alloy AA7075 within a novel thermo-mechanical forming process, in order gain insight into its precipitation kinetics. For purpose, material formed at 420 °C after undergoing solution treatment different strain levels ranging from 2% 10% obtain dislocation densities. After deformation, 120 with parameters carried out improve hardness. resulting properties and microstructure evolution were characterized afterward using hardness measurements transmission electron microscope (TEM). TEM investigations revealed formation very fine particles for 2%, as well 10%, material, which act effective barriers motion. It found that response artificial degree less than expected due thermally activated mechanisms, leading decrease density. Therefore, dramatic increase not observed.