Microstructural Stability under Creep Conditions of Two Al-Cu-Mg-Ag Alloys

The effect of creep conditions on the microstructural stability of two Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys in the T8 temper has been investigated. The microstructure of the crept samples was very stable with no significant change in the volume fraction, number density, diameter and thickness of the matrix precipitates when compared to the initial T8 temper. In addition, no significant change in grain boundary precipitates occurred under the creep conditions of this study as indicated by the amount of intergranular fracture before and after creep.