The microstructure and mechanical properties of semisolid rheo-diecasting Al-xZn-2Mg-1.5Cu alloys with different Zn contents were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), hardness testing (HV) and room temperature tensile testing. Results show that the as-cast microstructure mainly consists of spherical α-Al and Mg(Al, Cu, Zn)2 phases. Furthermore, a small amounts of Al7Cu2Fe phases were also detected along the grain boundary. Increasing the Zn contents from 8-12%, the volume fraction of the Mg(Al, Cu, Zn)2 phases increases from 4.9-7.4%. After solution heat treatment at 470 °C for 8 h, most of the Mg(Al, Cu, Zn)2 dissolves into the α-Al matrix, while the Al7Cu2Fe phase keeps with remains. The yield strength linearly increases from 482 ± 5 MPa of 8% Zn to 529 ± 5 MPa of 12% Zn. While, the ultimate strength of 10% Zn is 584 ± 2 MPa, which is higher than that of the other two alloys. Moreover, the average elongation dramatically decreases from 13% for the 8% Zn alloy to 2% for the 12% Zn alloy.
Keywords: Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys; mechanical properties; microstructure; rheo-diecasting.