Effects of Trace Elements on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Cu Based Alloys Using Extrusion

Thermal properties and microstructure of Al-4 wt.% Zn-2 wt.% Cu-x (x = 2 wt%. Mg, 2 wt%. Sn, 0.7 wt.% Mg-0.7 wt.% Sn-0.7 wt.% Ca) alloys on cast and extrusion have been investigated with extrusion temperature of 400 °C. Al-4 wt.% Zn-2 wt.% Cu alloy was composed of Al and Al₂Cu phases. By adding Mg contents, Al₂Mg₃Zn₃ phase was increased and Al₂Cu phase was decreased respectively. During hot extrusion, elongated in the extrusion direction because of severe deformation. The thermal conductivity with temperature and composition of as-extruded Al-4 wt.% Zn-2 wt.% Cu-x alloys decreases with adding 2 wt.% Mg, 2 wt.% Sn contents from 190.925 and 196.451 W/mK but thermal properties of addition of 0.7 wt.% Mg-0.7 wt.% Sn-0.7 wt.% Ca element slightly reduced from 222.32 to 180.775 W/mK. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for Al-4 wt.% Zn- 2 wt.% Cu alloy was 121.67 MPa. By adding 2 wt.% Mg contents, tensile strength was dramatically increased with 350.5 MPa.