Effect of Peak-Aged Heat Treatment on Corrosion Behavior of the AA6063 Alloy Containing Al₃Ti

摘要

The purpose of this study is to analyse the microstructure and corrosion properties of homogenised and aged AA 6063 aluminium alloys, containing up to 2% Ti, after the conventional casting technique. The microstructure of the homogenised and aged alloys was examined using an optic microscope, and scanning electron microscope. The micro-hardness test was used for the hardness measurements of the investigated alloys. Corrosion tests were performed by suspending samples of certain sizes into 30 gr/l NaCl + 10 ml/l HCl solutions, measuring the mass loss; potentiodynamic polarisation measurements were carried out in the same solution. The microstructure characterization of the investigated alloys shows the Al (matrix), non-shaped dark globular grey-coloured phase and rod-shaped phases formed at the grain boundaries. The non-shaped dark grey-coloured phase is Mg2Si. The rod-shaped phase, formed in the microstructure of the Ti-added AA 6063 alloys, is Al3Ti. The Ti content of the alloy increases, the Al3Ti phase tends to elongate and become plated. The results of the corrosion tests proved that the corrosion rate decreased in alloys containing less than 1% Ti, and the rate of corrosion increased in alloys containing more than 1% Ti, regardless of whether the alloys were homogenised and aged. Another observation was that aging heat treatment improved corrosion resistance.