Characterization of the Isothermal Precipitation Kinetics of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy

The isothermal precipitation kinetics of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was characterized over a wide range of temperatures by means of in situ electrical resistivity measurements, hardness testing, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. During low temperature isothermal holding, behavior consistent with classical precipitate nucleation, growth, and coarsening was observed. At higher temperatures, the Ostwald coarsening process was characterized …