Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of rapid solidification on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg system alloys, water atomization was carried out, since the water atomization beared the highest solidification rate among the atomization processes. The as atomized alloy powders consisted of fine grains less than 4 µm in diameter, and the second particles were not detected on XRD. The microstructure as solidified was maintained even after the spark plasma sintering at the heating rate of 50 K/min. On the other hand, lower rate of 20 K/min induced a formation of MgZn_2 particles, resulting in strengthening of the matrix. The density was almost constant at the temperature above 698K. The sintering temperature above 698K had no effect on the strength of the sintered materials.

• Keywords: Water atomization;Sintering;Microstructure;Temperature;