Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys
In this study, the influence of Er addition on the microstructure, type transformation of second phases, and corrosion resistance of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy were explored. The results revealed that the added Er element could significantly refine the alloy grains and change the second-phase composition...
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2022-01-01
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| author | Qingyuan Xing Xiaohui Wu Jinxin Zang Linggang Meng Xingguo Zhang |
| author_facet | Qingyuan Xing Xiaohui Wu Jinxin Zang Linggang Meng Xingguo Zhang |
| author_sort | Qingyuan Xing |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the influence of Er addition on the microstructure, type transformation of second phases, and corrosion resistance of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy were explored. The results revealed that the added Er element could significantly refine the alloy grains and change the second-phase composition at the grain boundary of the alloy. In the as-cast state, the Er element significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloy due to its refining effect on the grains and second phases at the grain boundary. The addition of the alloying element Er to the investigated alloy changed the type of corrosion attack on the alloy’s surface. In the presence of Er, the dominant type of corrosion attack is pitting corrosion, while the alloy without Er is prone to intergranular corrosion attack. After a solution treatment, the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er phase was formed, in which the interaction with the Cu element and the competitive growth relation to the Al<sub>3</sub>Er phase were the key factors influencing the corrosion resistance of the alloy. The anodic corrosion mechanism of the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er and Al<sub>3</sub>Er phases evidently lowered the alloy corrosion rate, and the depth of the corrosion pit declined from 197 μm to 155 μm; however, further improvement of corrosion resistance was restricted by the morphology and size of the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er phase after its formation and growth; therefore, adjusting the matching design of the Cu and Er elements can allow Er to improve the corrosion resistance of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu aluminum alloy to the greatest extent. |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae397a7b3d3d4b6fb872122d03911fd7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:36:20Z |
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| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae397a7b3d3d4b6fb872122d03911fd72023-11-23T17:01:16ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442022-01-01153104010.3390/ma15031040Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum AlloysQingyuan Xing0Xiaohui Wu1Jinxin Zang2Linggang Meng3Xingguo Zhang4AECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, Beijing 100095, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaAECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, Beijing 100095, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaIn this study, the influence of Er addition on the microstructure, type transformation of second phases, and corrosion resistance of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy were explored. The results revealed that the added Er element could significantly refine the alloy grains and change the second-phase composition at the grain boundary of the alloy. In the as-cast state, the Er element significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloy due to its refining effect on the grains and second phases at the grain boundary. The addition of the alloying element Er to the investigated alloy changed the type of corrosion attack on the alloy’s surface. In the presence of Er, the dominant type of corrosion attack is pitting corrosion, while the alloy without Er is prone to intergranular corrosion attack. After a solution treatment, the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er phase was formed, in which the interaction with the Cu element and the competitive growth relation to the Al<sub>3</sub>Er phase were the key factors influencing the corrosion resistance of the alloy. The anodic corrosion mechanism of the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er and Al<sub>3</sub>Er phases evidently lowered the alloy corrosion rate, and the depth of the corrosion pit declined from 197 μm to 155 μm; however, further improvement of corrosion resistance was restricted by the morphology and size of the Al<sub>8</sub>Cu<sub>4</sub>Er phase after its formation and growth; therefore, adjusting the matching design of the Cu and Er elements can allow Er to improve the corrosion resistance of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu aluminum alloy to the greatest extent.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/3/1040Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr alloyevolution of Er phaseintergranular corrosion |
| spellingShingle | Qingyuan Xing Xiaohui Wu Jinxin Zang Linggang Meng Xingguo Zhang Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys Materials Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr alloy evolution of Er phase intergranular corrosion |
| title | Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys |
| title_full | Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys |
| title_short | Effect of Er on Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr Aluminum Alloys |
| title_sort | effect of er on microstructure and corrosion behavior of al zn mg cu sc zr aluminum alloys |
| topic | Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr alloy evolution of Er phase intergranular corrosion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/3/1040 |
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