Abstract
Reversion characteristics of Al-5%Ag alloy and the effects of a small amount of Sn were examined by measurements of electric resistivity and tensile strength. It was observed that the resistivity was increased to the maximum, and then, decreased during reversion heat-treatments at 120200°C after ageing at 70°C in the same manner as seen in Al-20%Ag alloy. Sn had no effects on the rate of reversion, especially when the alloy had been aged for a long period at 70°C.
However, different from Al-20%Ag alloy, the resistivity and the strength of Al-5%Ag alloy did not show abrupt changes near 170°C which corresponds to ε-η transition temperature of G. P. zones according to Baur and Gerold. Then, it was concluded that ε-η transition temperature in Al-5%Ag alloy was higher than that given by the metastable miscibility gap determined by Baur and Gerold and the reversion was caused by the re-dissolution of G. P. zones. It was contrary to the behavior of Al-20%Ag alloy, in which the reversion is caused by the transition from η into ε.
Diffusion processes during the reversion was discussed in reference to the metastable miscibility gap.