Recent advances in ageing of 7xxx series aluminum alloys: A physical metallurgy perspective

Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys (7xxx series Al alloys) are extensively used for their superior mechanical and corrosion performance. These properties are microstructure-sensitive and highly dependent on the formation, growth and coarsening of precipitates. To date, a wide variety of ageing procedures have been developed to tailor the evolved microstructures so as to yield a good combination of mechanical capacity and corrosion resistance of 7xxx series Al alloys. Among these methods, isothermal ageing, multi-stage ageing, non-isothermal ageing, retrogression and re-ageing (RRA), and stress ageing (i.e. creep ageing) are the most significant. In the present review, all of these approaches are comprehensively introduced and their potential effects on the microstructure and properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys are fully reviewed. Also, recent advances and future prospect in this field are addressed. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.