Correlation between corrosion resistance, anodic hydrogen evolution and microhardness in friction stir weldment of AA2198 alloy

Correlation between corrosion resistance, anodic hydrogen evolution and microhardness in the friction stir weldment of AA2198-T851 alloy has been investigated. Different microscopy techniques, scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and potentiodynamic polarization tests were employed in the investigation. Unlike other 3rd generation Al-Cu-Li alloys where the regions that are most susceptible to corrosion are always within the weld region, the results reveal that the parent material is the most susceptible in this case. There is a direct correlation between corrosion resistance, anodic hydrogen evolution and microhardness in the weldment, and the T1 phase is associated with the direct correlation.