The effects of one-step aging and double aging on the properties and microstructures of 7075 Al sheets were studied via mechanical property testing, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that with continued one-step aging, the tensile and yield strengths of the Al sheets first increased rapidly with an increase in the treatment time to 8 h and then increased slightly with a further increase in the treatment time to 10 h. The tensile and yield strengths became constant after 16 h of treatment. The mechanical strength properties of the Al sheets peaked after 16 h of one-step aging. However, the double aging treatment provided better mechanical properties and working efficiency than the one-step aging treatment. The tensile strength and microhardness resulting from double aging were greater than those resulting from one-step aging by 5.87% and 8.71%, respectively. Herein, we quantified the contribution ofvarious strengthening mechanisms.
Keywords: 7075 Al alloy; aging behavior; mechanical properties; precipitation strengthening.