TY - JOUR

T1 - Metallographic Etching of Al–Mg–Zn–(Cu) Crossover Alloys

AU - Samberger, Sebastian

AU - Kremmer, Thomas

AU - Stemper, Lukas

AU - Tourey, Serena

AU - Uggowitzer, Peter

AU - Pogatscher, Stefan

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Advanced Engineering Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

PY - 2024/4/25

Y1 - 2024/4/25

N2 - Various alloys demand customized etchants due to their diverse chemical compositions, particularly in the realm of aluminum alloys. Consequently, in this study, a technique is proposed for metallographic visualization of small grain structures within Al–Mg–Zn–(Cu) crossover alloys. In this method, a thermal pretreatment combined with an etching process is relied on. In the study, it is primarily sought to comprehend how grain-boundary precipitation affects etchability, addressing the complexities of characterizing these alloys. The demonstrated approach facilitates the swift assessment of grain sizes <10 μm using light optical microscopy. Exploring the etchability of Al–Mg–Zn–(Cu) crossover alloys across a standard heat-treatment pathway identifies the optimal treatment and suitable etchant for grain visualization. Through process refinement, a reduction in processing time is achieved by employing a single-step preheat treatment lasting 20 min at 180 °C post solution annealing. Transmission electron microscope analysis reveals continuous occupancy of the grain boundary with T-phase as the key factor influencing the alloy's etchability. Grain size assessment involves line intercept counting and equivalent circle diameter measurement for precise characterization.

AB - Various alloys demand customized etchants due to their diverse chemical compositions, particularly in the realm of aluminum alloys. Consequently, in this study, a technique is proposed for metallographic visualization of small grain structures within Al–Mg–Zn–(Cu) crossover alloys. In this method, a thermal pretreatment combined with an etching process is relied on. In the study, it is primarily sought to comprehend how grain-boundary precipitation affects etchability, addressing the complexities of characterizing these alloys. The demonstrated approach facilitates the swift assessment of grain sizes <10 μm using light optical microscopy. Exploring the etchability of Al–Mg–Zn–(Cu) crossover alloys across a standard heat-treatment pathway identifies the optimal treatment and suitable etchant for grain visualization. Through process refinement, a reduction in processing time is achieved by employing a single-step preheat treatment lasting 20 min at 180 °C post solution annealing. Transmission electron microscope analysis reveals continuous occupancy of the grain boundary with T-phase as the key factor influencing the alloy's etchability. Grain size assessment involves line intercept counting and equivalent circle diameter measurement for precise characterization.

KW - aluminum alloys

KW - crossover alloys

KW - etching

KW - grain size measurements

KW - grain-boundary precipitations

KW - light optical microscopies

KW - T-phase

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85192488390&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/adem.202400576

DO - 10.1002/adem.202400576

M3 - Article

VL - 26.2024

JO - Advanced engineering materials

JF - Advanced engineering materials

SN - 1527-2648

IS - 19

M1 - 2400576

ER -