Effect of interrupted ageing treatment on the mechanical properties and intergranular corrosion behavior of Al-Mg-Si alloys

Abstract

In this study, the influence of interrupted ageing treatment on the mechanical properties and intergranular corrosion (IGC) behavior of Al-Mg-Si alloy was investigated. The results show that mechanical properties (strength and elongation) and IGC resistance of the interrupted ageing T6I6 alloys are enhanced simultaneously as compared to the T6 alloys. After treated by the interrupted ageing T6I6, the microstructure of the studied alloy consists of small size and high quantity density β″ precipitated phase in the Al matrix, discontinuously distributed grain boundary precipitates (GBPs) and narrow precipitation free zones (PFZs). The increment of mechanical properties and the improvement of IGC resistance are attributed to the type microstructures in the Al-Mg-Si alloy. Keywords: Al-Mg-Si alloy, Interrupted ageing, Mechanical properties, Intergranular corrosion