In-situ small-angle X-ray scattering study of dynamic precipitation in an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

Dynamic precipitation during room-temperature deformation of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy in solid solution has been investigated using in-situ small-angle X-ray scattering measurements during tensile tests, performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Guinier-Preston (GP) zones are observed to form continuously during the deformation process, and the quantitative measurement of their size and volume fraction shows that their precipitation kinetics are much faster than those of static precipitation. A strong negative strain-rate sensitivity of dynamic precipitation has been observed. A model for the hardening effect of the GP zones is deduced from the evolution of yield stress during static ageing at room temperature. This model is applied to the dynamic precipitation kinetics in order to describe the anomalously high strain-hardening rate observed in these deformation conditions. The kinetics of dynamic precipitation are discussed in terms of semiphenomenological models based on the dynamic strain-ageing theory.