================== Effects of the MgSi Ratio on Microstructure,Mechanical

Properties, and Precipitation Behavior ofAl–Mg–Si–1.0 wt %-Zn Alloys

====================

1. the precipitation kinetics were enhanced by the addition of Si by changing the

Mg/Si ratio in the initial clusters that formed during PA treatment.
2. addition of Zn did not alter the precipitation sequence of the Al–Mg–Si alloy.
3. the equilibrium phaseβis FCC(Face center cubic) in structur.
4. excess Mg decreased the solubility of Mg2Si in the matrix, and the growth of
Mg2Si phase consumed the supersaturated solute atoms, which led to a suppression
of the precipitation kinetics of the β′′ phase.

================== PRE-PRECIPITATE CLUSTERS AND PRECIPITATION PROCESSES IN Al-Mg-

Si ALLOYS ====================

1. After long term natural aging, Mg-Si co-clusters have been detected in addition
to separate Si and Mg atom clusters.
2. The particle density of β′′ after 10 h artifcial aging at 175 0C varies
depending on pre-aging conditions, i.e. pre-aging at 70 0C increases the number
density of the
β′′ precipitates, whereas natural aging reduces it. This suggests that the
spherical GP zones formed at 70 0C serve as nucleation sites for the β′′ in the
subsequent
artifcial aging,whereas co-clusters formed at room temperature do not.
3. the Mg:Si ratios of the GP zones and the β′′ precipitates in the alloy with
excess amount of Si are 1:1, whereas those in the Al-Mg2Si quasi-binary alloy are
2:1.
4. the alloys containing an excess amount of Si above the Al-Mg2Si quasi-binary
composition show pronounced hardening by aging at 175 0C.