Effect of Aging Temperature on Microstructure, Hardness and Thermal Property of AA7085 Alloy

AA7085 Al alloy is age hardenable, with superior strength to weight ratio, and is insensitive to quenching that features in aerostructural applications such as wing spars and body structures in aeronautical industries. This alloy has a stand in place the presently used high strength Al 7xxx alloys in many national, international defense and commercial aircraft programs. The present work aims to synthesize Al alloy AA7085 with composition (Zn 7–8%, Cu 1.3–2%, Mg 1.2–1.8%, zirconium 0.08–0.15%, silicon 0.06% and Fe 0.08%) using gravity die casting and hot rolling process, carrying out extensive macro- and microscopic studies using optical microscope, thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test, artificial aging of alloy at 110°, 120° and 130°, three different temperatures for five different time durations (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h) using muffle furnace, testing for hardness and electrical conductivity and evaluate the effect of aging on hardness of the alloy. © 2023, The Institution of Engineers (India).