The Effect of Thermodeformation Treatment on the Structure and Strengthening of the Al–7.1% Zn–2.8% Mg–1.4% Ni–1.1% Fe Alloy Produced via Casting in an Electromagnetic Crystallizer

A calculation technique (Thermo-Calc software code) and experimental methods (scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray spectral analysis) have been used to study the effect of thermodeformation treatment on the structure and strengthening of the Al–7.1% Zn–2.8% Mg–1.4% Ni–1.1% Fe alloy produced via casting in an electromagnetic crystallizer (EMC). It has been shown that at a cooling rate higher than 10 3 K/s, the entire amount of iron, which exceeds its content in the grade AZ6NF alloy (GOST 4784–2019) by two times, is bound into eutectic inclusions of the Al 9 FeNi phase of a submicron size. The combination of high hardness (more than 190 HV) and ductility indicates the advantages of applying the EMC technology to this alloy.