Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties evolution of high-Zn Al-Zn alloys prepared by cross accumulative roll bonding combined with heat treatment process

The cross accumulative roll bonding (CARB) combined with the heat treatment process was used to develop high-Zn Al-xZn alloys with 20 and 50 wt% Zn. The effect of the Zn content and fabrication process on the microstructural evolution, microhardness, tensile, and wear behaviors was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), microhardness in-dentation, uniaxial tensile, and wear testing (pin-on-disk) at room temperature. The microstructure of the Al-20 wt% Zn alloy featured alpha-Al granular structures, whereas by Zn content increasing to 50 wt% the structure was alpha + eta eutectoid structures with a fine distribution. The increase of the Zn element from 20 to 50 wt% was accompanied by a significant increase in tensile strength and also microhardness, but reduction in the elongation percentage of the Al-xZn alloys. Additionally, the wear resistance was improved as the Zn content was increased from 20 to 50 wt%. Finally, mechanical results confirmed that by increasing Zn content in the developed alloys the mechanical properties improved.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.