| Abstract: | Microstructure control always plays a key role in enhancing properties of high-strength AI alloys. Attempts to improve the micro-structure of 7000 series alloys by addition of 1.0 wt% Li have been made for a long time, but unsystematically. This article compares the microstructural features of 1.0 wt% Li-containing AI-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy with those of Li-free Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy by using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques, Vickers microhardness and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show the dominance of Guinier Preston (GP) zones, η' or η phases in 1.0 wt% Li-coutaining Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, and confirm the capability of Li to retard the rate of precipitates growth and coarsening. |
