Evidence for GP-zone formation in an Al-3% Zn alloy

The presence of small GP-zones in an Al-3 wt% Zn solid solution aged at temperatures below 80° is inferred from calorimetric reversion studies, although this composition lies outside the miscibility gap of the accepted phase diagram. The size of the zones is about 1 to 1.5 nm, as measured by high resolution electron microscopy.We are greatly indebted to the research staff in the electron microscopy laboratory of C.E.N.G. (Grenoble, France) for the use of a high resolution electron microscope.