Effect of processing parameters on quench sensitivity of an AA7050 sheet

▶ In our work, the influence of heat treatments during processing (homogenization, hot rolling and solution) on quenching sensitivity of an AA7050 sheet have been studied carefully. ▶ Al3Zr particles play a vital role in the quench sensitivity by influence the heterogeneous precipitation sites: the density of the incoherent Al3Zr particles (within recrystallized grains) and the grain boundaries (including sub-grain boundaries) also inducing high quenching sensitivity. ▶ To enhance mechanical properties and obtain lower quench sensitivity, a ramping heat during homogenization, controlled deformation (67% reduction with 3-5 s−1 deformation rate) and two-stage solution can lead to a lower recrystallized fraction and more low-angle sub-grain boundaries, decreasing the quench sensitivity of AA7050 sheet with good mechanical properties.