On the Corrosion Behavior of Precipitation Hardenable 5XXX Series Aluminum Alloys

Author(s):

Taylor W. Cain and Lindsey M. Blohm

Abstract:

The corrosion behavior of “crossover” Al-Mg-Zn-Cu–based 5XXX series aluminum was explored on nine custom alloys after several different casting and heat treatment processing routes. The results showed a strong precipitation hardening response without the need for rare or costly elemental additions. In addition, the corrosion potential and corrosion rate were shown to be sensitive to the processing route and alloy chemistry with copper showing strong effects on the electrochemical behavior while intergranular corrosion attack was not observed for all experimental alloys. Such behavior provides the opportunity to tune crossover alloys for their material properties to fit naval and non-naval applications.