Creep induced phase transformation in extruded Zn-Al alloy

Phase transformation and microstructural change of an extruded eutectoid Zn-Al alloy Zn76Al22Cu2 (wt pet) were investigated during creep testing by using SEM and X-ray diffraction techniques. Creep induced decomposition of a metastable eta(T)' phase and a four phase transformation, alpha + epsilon --> T' + eta, occurred during the creep testing. Also a microstructural change was observed from a lamellar structure into a spheroidized structure in the rupture part of the extruded alloy. It provided evidence of creep induced phase transformations which occurred in ageing process. The mechanism of creep rupture of the extruded Zn-Al alloy was also discussed.