Aluminum alloys and methods of making the same

A process for artificially aging a solution heat treated aluminum alloy, the process comprising:

• providing the aluminum alloy consisting essentially of from about 5.7 to about 6.7 wt. % of zinc, less than 2.2 wt. % copper, less than 4.2 wt. % of the total weight percent of magnesium and copper combined, and less than 10.60 wt. % of the total weight percent of magnesium, copper and zinc combined, the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities,
• artificially aging the article at the first temperature,
• heating the article to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature;
• artificially aging the article at the second temperature of from about 290 to about 360° F. for a duration of at least 6 hours;
• and
• cooling the article from the second temperature to 200° F. at a cooling down rate of from about 20 to about 40° F./hour.

A process for artificially aging a solution heat treated aluminum alloy, the process comprising:

• providing the aluminum alloy consisting essentially of from about 5.7 to about 6.7 wt. % of zinc, less than 2.2 wt. % copper, less than 4.2 wt. % of the total weight percent of magnesium and copper combined, and less than 10.60 wt. % of the total weight percent of magnesium, copper and zinc combined, the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities,
• artificially aging the article at the first temperature;
• heating the article to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, the heat up rate from the first temperature to the second temperature is from about 25 to about 40° F./hour
• artificially aging the article at the second temperature of from about 290 to about 360° F. for a duration of at least 6 hours;
• and
• cooling the article from the second temperature to 200° F. at a cooling down rate of from about 20 to about 40° F./hour.