Softening behaviour of nanostructured Al–14 wt% Zn alloy during mechanical alloying

Al and Zn elemental powder mixtures were subjected to high-energy milling to produce Al–14 wt% Zn alloy. The milled powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microhardness measurement. The Al and Zn grain sizes were estimated from broadening of XRD peaks using Williamson–Hall formula. The results showed that in early stage of milling the solubility of Zn in Al is extended compared to the equilibrium value which is accompanied by a decrease in lattice parameter of the Al matrix. However, after longer milling times, decomposition of Al(Zn) supersaturated solid solution appeared to occur leading to an increase in Al lattice parameter and also a decrease in hardness value of as-milled powder. The final product of milling includes both Al and Zn phases having a grain size of 40 nm and 20 nm, respectively.