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Precipitation reactions of the Al-Zn-Mg(-Mn,Fe)-based alloys with/without Sc,Zr-addition were studied by microhardness and resistivity measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry. Microstructure observation proved the Zn,Mg-containing eutectic phase at grain boundaries. Positron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Guinier-Preston (GP) zones in the initial state. The changes in resistivity and microhardness curves as well as in heat flow are mainly caused by the formation and/or dissolution of the Guinier-Preston zones and precipitation of the particles from the Al-Zn-Mg system. Formation of the Mn,Fe-containing particles as well as of the η-and T-phase does not influence hardening significantly. The hardening effect above ∼ 300 • C reflects the Sc,Zr-addition. Heat treatment at 300 • C for 60 min and 460 • C for 45 min is insufficient for homogenization of the alloys. The apparent activation energy values were calculated: dissolution of the GP zones (∼ 106 kJ mol −1), formation of the metastable η-phase (∼ 111 kJ mol −1), formation of the stable η-phase (∼ 126 kJ mol −1

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Al-Li based alloys are attractive materials for the aerospace industry. The twin-roll casting of such materials could provide properties not achievable by conventional direct-chill casting and downstream processing methods due to significantly higher solidification rates. An Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloy was twin-roll cast with the same alloy containing a small addition of Sc. The microstructure of as-cast materials and the influence of Sc on the behavior of the alloy at elevated temperatures were studied by means of light and electron microscopy and by resistivity measurements. A fine-grained structure was formed during twin-roll casting, but several surface and internal defects were found on the strips, which should be suppressed by a further adjustment of the casting conditions. The addition of Sc had a positive effect on grain size uniformity and microstructure stabilization at elevated temperatures, as shown by the precipitation of a fine dispersion of coherent Sc- and Zr-containing precipitates.