A look in the corrosion of aluminum alloy friction stir welds

Aluminum alloy friction stir welds exhibit corrosion susceptibility, where sensitization of the microstructure occurs. The response of the microstructure to the welding is intense, and intergranular corrosion, mainly located along the nugget's heat-affected region, is promoted by coarsening of the grain boundary precipitates. Short-term post-weld heat treatments, with temperatures similar to the welding temperatures, modify the microstructure and reduce the corrosion. An increase in the corrosion resistance may also be reached by modifying the microchemistry during welding. (c) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.