Suppression of Hydrogen Embrittlement due to Local Partitioning of Hydrogen to Dispersed Intermetallic Compound Particles in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloys

Recent studies have revealed that hydrogen embrittlement in Al–Zn–Mg alloys appears to be dominated by partitioning MgZn2 precipitates. A method has recently been proposed for reducing the concentration at precipitates adding specific intermetallic compound particles high trap energy. In present study, effectiveness of Al7Cu2Fe on suppression Al–Zn–Mg–Cu was evaluated using X-ray microtomography. Quasi-cleavage cracks were found initiated regions where local volume fractions relatively low. Hydrogen precipitate interface suppressed, even material, particles. However, fractional area quasi-cleavage fracture material with higher due insufficient diffusion inside and between aluminum matrix It finely distributed small might effectively suppress embrittlement.