Improvement in corrosion resistance of 5083 aluminum alloy via friction stir processing

摘要

Friction stir processing is a solid state process used to modify microstructure and mechanical properties of sheet metals and as-cast materials. During this process, stirring action of the tool causes the material to intense plastic deformation that yields a dynamical recrystallization. In this study, corrosion sensitivity of a friction stir processed AA5083 aluminum alloy has been investigated using both normalized intergranular corrosion test (ASTM G67) and local electrochemical open circuit potential measurements. In addition, Vickers microhardness and microstructural analyses have been performed. It was found that the friction stir processed samples exhibited higher corrosion resistance compared with the base metal.