Microstructural Aspects of Second Phases in As-cast and Homogenized 7055 Aluminum Alloy with Different Impurity Contents

The microstructural factors such as type, area fraction, morphology, distribution, and size of second phases in as-cast and homogenized 7055 aluminum alloy and the influence of impurity content variations have been investigated by using optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In as-cast microstructures, the dominant second phases of η [Mg(Al, Cu, Zn)₂] with extended solubility of Cu and Al, a small amount of impurity phases of Al₇Cu₂Fe and Al₃Fe with a little solubility of Cu and Si, and trace Mg₂Si are identified. The variations of Fe and Si contents have no significant influence on the area fraction of η phases, but the area fraction of Fe-rich phase decreases from 0.231 to 0.102 pct with Fe content decreasing from 0.080 to 0.038 wt pct. Decreasing Fe contents reduces the size parameters of Fe-rich phases and refines their morphology correspondingly. After being homogenized at 753 K (480 °C) for 24 hours, η phases are largely dissolved, but the coarse impurity phases are insoluble. Compared with as-cast microstructures, the area fraction and composition of Fe-rich phases change a little but their morphologies are slightly coarsened.