High-pressure homogenization treatment of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu aluminum alloy

The microstructures and aging hardening response of Al–12Zn–3.5Mg–3.0Cu–0.14Zr aluminum alloy after a high-pressure homogenization treatment at 750 C for 45 min under 5 GPa were investigated. The results showed that the constituent phases dissolved completely and formed a-Al single-phase solid solution comparable to that formed after ambient-pressure homogenization at 450 C/96 h + 460 C/128 h. The complete dissolution of the constituent phases increased the solubility of the alloying elements, as well with the over-burning temperature and aging hardness