Enhanced pre-precipitation rate in Al—Zn 10% alloy by plastic deformation at 78°K

The effect of a plastic compression at 78°K on the rate of pre-precipitation in the Al—Zn 10% alloy has been investigated by means of resistivity measurements. The results have shown that a fast clustering of solute atoms, controlled by point defects generated during the deformation, occurs in the range -145 to -10°C. There is some evidence that such point defects are vacancy-type defects migrating to dislocations.