An unreported precipitate orientation relationship in Al-Zn-Mg based alloys.

Characterization of precipitates in Al-Zn-Mg alloys, using a combination of electron diffraction, bright field transmission electron microscopy and atomic scale scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging revealed the presence of an unreported η 13 orientation relationship between the η-MgZn 2 phase and the Al lattice with the following orientation relationship (0001) η ∥ (120) Al and (2 1 ¯ 1 ¯ 0) η ∥ (001) Al , plate on (120) Al. The precipitate interfaces were observed and analyzed along two projections 90° to one-another. The precipitate coarsening was through the common thickening ledge mechanism. The ledges were significantly stepped along one lateral direction. An interface relaxation model using density functional theory was carried out to explain the precipitate behavior. Image 1 • A new orientation relationship between the η-MgZn 2 hardening precipitate and the Al matrix has been established. • The precipiate interface was observed by HAADF-STEM in two projections, 90° to one-another. • Thickening ledges were observed to be anistropically stepped depending on directional misfit. • DFT relaxation of interface model fairly well explains the significant stepped thickneing ledges along the highest directional misfit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]