Effect of ultrasonic impact treatment on microstructure and corrosion behavior of friction stir welding joints of 2219 aluminum alloy

Ultrasonic Impact Treatment (UIT) was performed to improve the corrosion resistance of 2219 aluminum alloy friction stir welding (FSW) joints. Results showed that the coarse grains on near surface of FSW joints were obviously modified and refined after UIT, and the thickness of the modified layer of different sub-regions was ranged from 90 to 120 mm. UIT increased intergranular corrosion resistance of 2219 aluminum alloy FSW joints in salt spray corrosion atmosphere. Free-corrosion potential of heat-affected zone (HAZ), which presented the worst corrosion resistance, was increased from -0.653 to -0.628 V, and the corrosion current density was decreased from 7.48 to 6.18 mA cm(-2). The sensitivity index of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of the joints was decreased from 0.139 to 0.129 in 3.5% NaCl solution after UIT, and the risk of crack initiation during SCC process was significantly inhibited. UIT improved the SCC resistance of 2219 aluminum alloy FSW joints by surface plasticity improvement, grain refinement and precipitates dissolution and redistribution. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Ultrasonic Impact Treatment (UIT) was applied to enhance the corrosion resistance of friction stir welded joints in 2219 aluminum alloy. The results demonstrated that UIT effectively modified and refined the surface grains, leading to improved intergranular corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance.