Methods of producing mine blast resistant armor from a 7xxx series aluminum alloy

A method of producing an armor component, the method comprising:

• casting a 7xxx series aluminum alloy into an ingot;
• homogenizing the ingot;
• hot rolling the ingot to obtain a metal product;
• solution heat treating the metal product;
• quenching the metal product;
• stretching the metal product to obtain a permanent elongation from 1% to 6%;
• and
• subjecting the metal product to an over-aging treatment, wherein the over-aging treatment comprises heating the metal product to a first temperature of from 110° C. to 130° C. for a first duration of from 4 hours to 12 hours and followed by heating the metal product to a second temperature of from 160° C. to 200° C. for a second duration of from 4 hours to 40 hours,
• wherein the metal product exhibits a yield strength of from about 400 MPa to 495 MPa, wherein the metal product exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of from about 450 MPa to 545 MPa, wherein the metal product exhibits an elongation of about 9% to 16%, and wherein the 7xxx series aluminum alloy comprises:
• about 7.1 wt. % to 7.5 wt. % Zn,
• about 1.90 wt. % to 2.25 wt. % Mg,
• about 1.3 wt. % to 1.8 wt. % Cu,
• about 0.05 wt. % to 0.4 wt. % of a dispersoid forming element,
• about 0.01 wt. % to 0.06 wt. % Ti,
• up to about 0.15 wt. % Si,
• up to 0.15 wt. % Fe, and
• Al.