Effect of high temperature heat treatment on intergranular corrosion of AlMgSi(Cu) model alloy

Copper containing 6000-series aluminium alloys may become susceptible to intergranular corrosion (IGC) as a result of improper thermomechanical processing. Effect of cooling rate after solution heat treatment on the corrosion behaviour of a model AlMgSi(Cu) alloy of nominal composition (wt%) 0.6 Mg, 0.6 Si, 0.2 Fe, 0.2 Mn and 0.1 Cu was investigated. Slow cooling rates were simulated by isothermal treatment for predetermined times in lower temperature baths immediately after solution heat treatment. Treatment for 10-100 s at temperatures below 400 °C introduced susceptibility to IGC. Longer heat treatment at the same temperatures introduced susceptibility to pitting. A corrosion resistant time zone was found between the zones of IGC and pitting at temperatures lower than 350 °C. Quenching in water after solution heat treatment prevented IGC. IGC was related to microgalvanic coupling between the noble Q-phase (Al₄Mg₈Si₇Cu₂) grain boundary precipitates and the adjacent depleted zone. Pitting was attributed to coarse particles in the matrix. Possible mechanisms causing the corrosion resistant intermediate zone are discussed. The results indicate possible methods for obtaining increased corrosion resistance of similar alloys by proper thermal processing.     

An integrated study on the effect of pre- and post-extrusion heat treatments and surface treatment on the filiform corrosion properties of an aluminium extrusion alloy

The effect of pre- and post-extrusion heat treatments on the filiform corrosion behaviour of a well-known aluminium extrusion alloy AA6063 is studied by a combination of accelerated filiform corrosion exposure tests and potentiodynamic polarisation measurements for four different surface treatments. It is shown that the post-extrusion heat treatment of this AlMgSi alloy can influence the filiform corrosion properties significantly, in particular for the milder surface treatments. In contrast, the relative effect of the pre-extrusion treatment on the filiform corrosion properties is minimal for all treatments. The alloys are most susceptible to filiform corrosion in the β′ condition. The susceptibility decreases with coarsening of the Mg₂Si particle distribution. For the post-extrusion heat and surface treated AA6063 material a clear correlation between the polarisation characteristics and the two principal filiform corrosion characteristics, i.e. the propagation rate and total area of attack after accelerated exposure, is observed. The observed correlation is attributed to a pitting corrosion mechanism with a rate depending on the (coupled) Mg₂Si precipitate size and fraction.     

Korrosionseigenschaften laserstrahlgeschweißter Aluminium- und Magnesium-Automobilwerkstoffe

Corrosion behaviour of laser beam welded aluminium and magnesium alloys in the automotive industry The pitting behaviour of unwelded and laser beam welded AlMgSi alloys and an AlMgMn alloy was investigated. Electrochemical investigations and the metallographic determination of the pit volume were used to characterize the susceptibility to pitting corrosion. Both investigation methods showed that, in the unwelded condition, the material AlMgMn was the most resistant. In the case of laser beam welded materials, the resistance to pitting corrosion is lower or also higher than that of the non-affected materials depending on the material combination selected. The material combination AlMgSi0.5/AlMgSi1 F21 proved to be the most suitable. Magnesium extruded alloys with approx. 3 to 8% Al and 0.5 to 0.8 % Zn are susceptible to filiform corrosion and pitting corrosion in aqueous chloride solutions depending on chloride concentration. The resistance of unwelded alloys increases with Al content. On welding of the alloys, the corrosion resistance is determined by the Al/Mg proportion at the surface of the non-affected material and the laser welding seam. The pits occur mainly in the heat affected zone of the welding seam. The laser beam welded material AZ61 HP was found to have the highest resistance.     

Effect of thermomechanical history on intergranular corrosion of extruded AlMgSi(Cu) model alloy

The effect of cooling rate after extrusion, solution heat treatment, mechanical deformation and aging on intergranular corrosion (IGC) of two model AlMgSi alloys with different Cu content was investigated using an accelerated corrosion test. The low Cu extrusions (0.02 wt%) were resistant to IGC while the high Cu (0.17 wt%) variants were susceptible in certain tempers. Slow cooling in air introduced IGC. The IGC susceptibility was reduced and finally removed by artificial aging. Water quenching prevented IGC, but severe IGC was introduced by slight aging (underaging). Peak aging (T6) generally reduced IGC susceptibility regardless of cooling media. Overaging further reduced IGC, usually at the expense of introducing pitting. IGC susceptibility was related to the microgalvanic coupling between enriched Cu on the grain boundaries (noble) and the adjacent solute depleted zone (active). Cu enrichment was caused either by slow cooling in air or slight aging of water quenched samples. High IGC resistance was obtained either by keeping the Cu content low or by applying proper heat treatment to high Cu samples. For the present high Cu samples, artificial aging to peak strength provided at the same time the necessary IGC resistance.     

Back Matter

The present work was performed on twenty-one alloys containing Al-11.5 wt% Si, with magnesium (Mg) in the range of 0.1–0.4 wt%, and copper (Cu) in the range of 1.0–3.0 wt%. Fluidity measurements and thermal analysis for each of these alloy melts were carried out. The alloys were cast in the form of tensile test bars. The test bars were solution heat treated at a temperature of ~500°C for 8h, then quenched in hot water (60°C), followed by artificial ageing at 155°C for 5 h, and then cooling in air. The effects of Mg and Cu additions on the tensile properties, depression in the Al-Si eutectic temperature, and microstructural characteristics (Si and Cu-phase particle characteristics and morphology) have been discussed in detail. The results show that the addition of Mg decreases the fluidity and the eutectic Si temperature. While addition of Cu also decreases the eutectic temperature, the fluidity, however, is increased. The presence of Mg and Cu decreases the modifying effect of Sr on the Si particles due to an increase in the solidification time, as well as the Sr, Mg, Cu interactions that occurs as a result of these additions. Mg additions in the range of 0.1–0.4 wt% increase YS (from 22% up to 94%) and UTS (from 7% up to 52%) and decrease the percent elongation (40%) depending on the Cu content of the alloy, i.e., the higher the Cu content, the lower the increase in strength. Addition of Cu has a similar effect on YS and UTS at alloy Mg levels of 0.1 wt% only, with no effect at higher Mg values, while elongation continuously decreases. The volume fraction of Al₂Cu phase increases by approximately 0.76% for every 1 wt% increase in Cu. This observation is important in the selection of the appropriate solution heat treatment regime in order to avoid incipient melting.     

Effects of Pb and Cu additives on microstructure and wear corrosion resistance behaviour of PM Al–Si alloys

Abstract

The wear and wear corrosion resistance behaviour of Al–20Si–XPb–YCu (X=0–10 wt-%, Y=0–3 wt-%) alloys fabricated by a powder metallurgy (PM) technique and subsequent heat treatments were evaluated by a block on ring tribotest. The microstructure of all aluminium alloys was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The effects of applied potentials and environments including dry air and 3.5 wt-%NaCl aqueous solution were studied. The results of microstructure analysis indicated that Pb exhibited a bimodal distribution in the Pb containing alloys, and Cu particles become to form the intermetallic phase CuAl₂. Furthermore, the hardness rises significantly for both Pb and Cu containing alloys only after solid solution quenching treatment. The wear and corrosion results showed that the addition of both lead and copper would improve the wear resistance but lead to a higher corrosion rate whereas heat treatment had a beneficial effect of reducing the corrosion rate of most alloys with the exception of Al–Si alloy. Furthermore, by comparison of all alloys after heat treatment, the wear corrosion resistance of Al–Si alloy was inferior to the other alloys; consequent additions of Pb and Cu further improved its wear corrosion resistance. Moreover, at an anodic potential, the wear corrosion rate and current density of both Al–Si and Al–Si–Cu alloys containing particle Pb decrease significantly owing to a corrosion product layer composed of Al, O and Pb elements.     

Si含量对7050铝合金显微组织和抗应力腐蚀开裂的影响

分别研究Si含量为0．094％、0．134％和0．261％的3种T7651态7050铝合金的组织和应力腐蚀开裂敏感性。结果表明：随着Si含量从0．094％增加到0．261％,Mg2Si相的面积分数从0．16％增加到1．48％,并且尺寸粗化;而其它粗大相（包括Al2CuMg、Mg（Al3Cu,Zn）2和Al7Cu2Fe）的面积分数从2．42％减小到0．78％。合金的电导率随Si含量的增加而增加。合金在空气中进行慢应变速率拉伸时,抗拉强度和伸长率随Si含量的增加而降低;而在3．5％NaCl溶液中进行慢应变速率拉伸时,随Si含量增加,合金应力腐蚀开裂敏感性降低。     

Strength-Ductility Behaviour of Al-Si-Cu-Mg Casting Alloys in T6 Temper

A comparative study of the mechanical properties of 20 experimental alloys has been carried out. The effect of different contents of Si, Cu, Mg, Fe and Mn, as well as solidification rate, has been assessed using a strength-ductility chart and a quality index-strength chart developed for the alloys.

The charts show that the strength generally increases and the ductility decreases with an increasing content of Cu and Mg. Increased Fe (at Fe/Mn ratio 0.5) dramatically lowers the ductility and strength of low Si alloys. Increased Si content generally increases the strength and the ductility. The increase in ductility with increased Si is particularly significant when the Fe content is high. The charts are used to show that the cracking of second phase particles imposes a limit to the maximum achievable strength by limiting the ductility of strong alloys. The (Cu + Mg) content (at.%), which determines the precipitation strengthening and the volume fraction of Cu-rich and Mg-rich intermetallics, can be used to select the alloys for given strength and ductility, provided the Fe content stays below the Si-dependent critical level for the formation of pre-eutectic α-phase particles or β-phase plates.     

基于人工神经网络与遗传算法的Al-Mg-Si系合金抗拉强度预测模型

为了研究Al-Mg-Si系合金热处理制度和合金成分对力学性能的影响规律,采用人工神经网络（artificial neural network, ANN）和遗传算法（genetic algorithm, GA）相结合的方法,构建了Al-Mg-Si系合金强度预测模型（ANN-GA模型）。通过单因素和双因素分析,研究了合金元素含量和热处理工艺参数对铝合金抗拉强度的影响规律。结果表明,随着Si含量的增加,铝合金的抗拉强度呈现先降低后升高的趋势;随着Mg含量的增加、Cu含量的增加或者Fe含量的减少,铝合金的抗拉强度整体上呈现升高的趋势。双因素分析更能反映输入参数对铝合金抗拉强度的影响。Mg/Si比、Mg+Si总量和时效时间对Al-Mg-Si系合金力学性能的影响显著。铝合金的硬度随时间的变化趋势与ANN-GA模型的计算结果一致,峰值时效时间为29 h,相对误差为11.86%。     

Calculated phase diagrams and the corrosion of die-cast Mg-Al alloys

The corrosion of commercial die-cast Mg-Al alloys was elucidated by a study, of the corrosion in 3% NaCl, of (i) high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) model Mg-Al alloys, (ii) low-purity Mg, (iii) high-purity (HP) Mg and (iv) HP Mg heat treated at 550 °C. HPDC is the most important route for the production of Mg components. The corrosion of the model alloys was dominated by the Fe impurity element. The present research identified the appearance of the Fe-rich particles in the microstructure. In high magnification (∼1000× to 5000×) secondary electron images, they appear as small white features, typically less than 1 μm in diameter. In order to understand the impurity tolerance limits, (i) the appropriate corrosion literature was summarised and reviewed and (ii) Mg phase diagrams were calculated using the Pandat software package. Calculated phase diagrams can explain (i) the tolerance levels for Fe and Cu and (ii) the production of high-purity castings by means of control of melt conditions; this has high significance for the production of quality castings from recycled Mg. A full analysis requires that the Mg database be extended to include Ni, Co and some RE. The Fe tolerance limit is ∼5-10 ppm for cast HP Mg heat treated at 550 °C. Analysis of the Mg corrosion literature indicates that several studies have been dominated by the Fe impurity content and have not dealt with the stated aims; it means that the full chemical composition should be reported in all studies of the corrosion of Mg alloys.     

Effect of low copper content and heat treatment on intergranular corrosion of model AlMgSi alloys

Certain 6000-series extrusions may develop susceptibility to intergranular corrosion (IGC) by improper heat treatment, especially if copper is present as an alloying element. Although occurrence of IGC in such cases is documented, the underlying mechanisms are not adequately explained. We present corrosion data for two model alloys, having different Cu content and Mg:Si ratio, showing that the susceptibility to IGC depended primarily on the Cu content and secondly on thermal processing. Low Cu samples (0.0005 wt.% Cu) were essentially resistant to IGC. High Cu samples (0.12 wt.% Cu), which were air cooled after extrusion, exhibited significant IGC. However, IGC susceptibility was reduced significantly as a result of artificial aging to peak strength. Water quenched high Cu samples were essentially resistant to IGC. However, slight IGC susceptibility was introduced after aging. Electron optical characterisation revealed Al₄Mg₈Si₇Cu₂ (Q-phase) grain boundary precipitates on all the variants susceptible to IGC. The susceptibility was attributed to microgalvanic coupling between Q-phase grain boundary precipitates (noble) and the adjacent depleted zone (active).     

Microstructure characteristics in non-modified and Sr modified Al–Si–Cu–Mg 319 type alloys

Abstract

This study was carried out on 319 alloys containing low and high levels of Mg, in the non-modified and Sr modified conditions (150 ppm Sr addition). Single step, two step and triple step heat treatments were applied to identify the optimum solution heat treatment to minimise incipient melting of the copper phases Al₂Cu and Al₅Mg₈Cu₂Si₆ in these alloys in relation to the alloy properties. In Mg free alloys, no incipient melting of Al₂ Cu was observed even in samples heat treated at 520°C. Addition of Sr leads to modification of Si particles but also to an increase in area per cent porosity and pore length, especially when the solution temperature reaches 520°C. Addition of Mg results in a decrease in the Si particle aspect ratio but an increase in particle size. Magnesium was also found to increase the possibility of incipient melting resulting from the formation of the insoluble Al₅Mg₈Cu₂Si₆ phase. To some degree, Sr decreases the effect that Mg has in increasing the area per cent porosity and pore length, while Mg impairs the effects that Sr has on modifying Si particles, even though the lowest Al–Si eutectic temperature is obtained for the 319 alloy containing both Mg and Sr.     

铝合金在海洋环境中的腐蚀研究(Ⅱ)--海水全浸区16年暴露试验总结

总结了铝合金在青岛海域海水全浸区暴露16年的腐蚀结果，防锈铝LF2Y2，LF6M（BL），F21M，180YS在海水全浸区有好的耐蚀性，工业纯铝L4M，锻铝LD2CS的耐蚀性较差，无包铝层的硬铝LY12CZ和超硬铝LC4CS在海水中的耐蚀性很差，硬铝，超硬铝的包铝层起牺牲阳极作用，使基体受到保护，海生物污损对铝合金在海水中的腐蚀有明显影响，镁、锰能提高铝的耐海水腐蚀性，硅明显降低铝的耐蚀性，铜严重损害铝的耐蚀性，腐蚀电位较负的铝合金耐海水腐蚀性较好，腐蚀电位较正的铝合金耐海水腐蚀性较差。     

晶界结构在不同热处理下对铝镁合金腐蚀规律的研究现状

铝镁合金是未来应用汽车领域发展具有很大潜力的一类重要材料.通常,在商品中的铝镁合金,镁的质量分数在0.5%～13%.汽车制造商通常选用镁的质量分数在4.5%以上,然而研究发现,当镁的质量分数超过3%的时候,会引起晶界间腐蚀,从而造成应力腐蚀开裂.此现象未见文献对其进行系统的分析和研究.本文主要介绍铝镁合金在不同的热处理...     

Cu含量对Al-2.5Mg-xCu-0.2Si合金微观组织和性能的影响

研究了Cu含量对Al-2.5Mg-x Cu-0.2Si合金微观组织和性能的影响。结果表明:由于形成Cu、Mg原子团簇,加入Cu的合金的显微硬度在时效初期有明显的快速硬化。随着时效时间的延长,由于S′相和GPB的形成使得合金的硬度再次提高,并达到硬度峰值。快速硬化的硬度值和峰值硬度值均随铜含量的增加而增加。铜含量增高,合金的抗拉强度和屈服强度增加明显,延伸率降低。含铜量增高,合金的抗晶间腐蚀能力变差。当Cu含量低于1.14%(质量分数,下同)时,合金具有良好的抗晶间腐蚀性能;但含铜2.10%的合金抗晶间腐蚀性能显著降低。实验结果表明:含铜量为1.14%的合金具有较好的机械性能和抗腐蚀能力。     

6xxx系铝合金表面腐蚀及其防腐的研究现状

6xxx系(Al-Mg-Si)铝合金作为综合性能良好的中强铝合金,因其较小的密度、良好的耐蚀性和成形性等优点,被广泛应用在航空航天、交通运输和建筑机械等领域。然而,该类铝合金在工业应用中依然存在腐蚀问题,造成巨大的经济损失,带来严重的安全隐患。针对这一问题,首先介绍了6xxx系铝合金的腐蚀类型,总结了影响其耐蚀性的影响因素,重点介绍了合金元素对其耐蚀性的影响。已有的研究结果表明:铝合金中的Mg、Si、Cu、Zn等元素显著影响合金的耐蚀性能,过量Si和Cu元素的添加增加了铝合金的晶间腐蚀敏感性;适当地添加过渡族金属元素及稀土元素,可有效改善铝合金的耐蚀性。随后,分析了提高铝合金耐蚀性能的途径,包括改善热处理工艺、优化合金成分及添加复合物等方法,并介绍了几种典型的表面防腐处理工艺,如阳极氧化技术、微弧氧化技术、化学转化膜技术、电镀及化学镀技术。最后总结了以上防护途径存在的一些问题,并指出了耐蚀铝合金的主要发展方向。     

Effect of artificial aging on intergranular corrosion of extruded AlMgSi alloy with small Cu content

The effect of artificial aging parameters on the corrosion performance of air cooled AlMgSi(Cu) model alloy extrusions was investigated. Accelerated corrosion test revealed that the extrusions were highly susceptible to intergranular corrosion (IGC) in the naturally aged condition. However, IGC susceptibility was reduced, and finally eliminated, by artificial aging. Overaging introduced slight pitting susceptibility. EDS X-ray mapping in FE-TEM revealed Mg₂Si and Q-phase (Al₄Cu₂Mg₈Si₇) grain boundary precipitates and a continuous Cu-enriched grain boundary film. IGC susceptibility was related to the Cu-enriched grain boundary film. Increased IGC resistance was caused by coarsening of the grain boundary film by aging. Pitting susceptibility by over aging evolved due to coarsening of the Q-phase particles in the grain bodies.     

合金成分与热处理对6xxx系铝合金力学性能的影响

研究合金成分（Mg,Si,Cu）和热处理（自然时效和预时效）对6xxx系铝合金力学性能的影响。结果表明：合金成分与热处理不仅影响材料的成形性能,而且影响材料的烘烤硬化性能;提高合金中Si含量或Si／Mg比或添加0．3％Cu,可显著提高材料的韧性和成形性能,而预时效将减低材料的韧性和成形性能。对所研究合金的强度、韧性、加工硬化、应变敏感性、成形极限和烘烤硬化性进行了比较和总结。     

The potentiodynamic screening of materials for high efficiency gas-fired appliances

As part of an overall programme to select materials for secondary heat exchangers in gas-fired condensing appliances, the corrosion characteristics of a number of commercially available austenitic stainless steels, and wrought and cast aluminium alloys were determined with a potentiostat. Results indicated that austenitic stainless steels performed generally better than the wrought or cast aluminium alloys evaluated. Wrought aluminium alloys showed better corrosion resistance than the various aluminium ‘LM’ casting alloys investigated. Of the stainless steels tested, type 316 showed the best overall characteristics. Amongst the wrought aluminium alloys assessed, AlMgSi showed the most corrosion resistance, closely followed by Al1SiMgMn and Al1Mn. Alloys Al7Si1Mg and Al12Si showed superior corrosion resistance to that of Al5Si3Cu.     

EFFECTS OF Cu and Mg ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF -Al(3－4 Wt%)Li AL

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