Effects of Magnetic Field on Artificial Aging of Al–Mg–Zn–Cu Alloys Studied by Atom Probe Tomography

The influence of magnetic fieldMagnetic fields-assisted aging on the microstructural evolution of AA7075 alloy was investigated using atom probe tomographyAtom probe tomography (APT). The mechanical propertiesMechanical properties of precipitation-hardening AA7075 alloys are primarily governed by the nucleation, growth, coarsening, and distribution of precipitates formed during artificial aging. In this study, the combined effects of aging time and externally applied magnetic fieldMagnetic fields in precipitate morphology and composition were investigated by APT after they were artificially aged at 120 °C for selected durations of 1, 4, and 24 h under 0 and 3 T. Detailed analysis of precipitate size, shape, and number density was conducted, while compositional changes were evaluated through bulk composition measurementsMeasurements and proxigram concentration profilesProfile across precipitate interfaces. The results show that precipitates become larger with longer aging time and that the application of a magnetic fieldMagnetic fields alters the chemical compositionChemical composition within the precipitate cores, which in turn modifies their growth behavior and morphology. These findings demonstrate that artificial aging under magnetic fieldMagnetic fields could provide a potential pathway for tailoring precipitation kinetics and microstructural features in precipitation-hardened aluminum alloysAluminum alloy.