Effect of high temperature heat treatment on intergranular corrosion of AlMgSi(Cu) model alloy

Copper containing 6000-series aluminium alloys may become susceptible to intergranular corrosion (IGC) as a result of improper thermomechanical processing. Effect of cooling rate after solution heat treatment on the corrosion behaviour of a model AlMgSi(Cu) alloy of nominal composition (wt%) 0.6 Mg, 0.6 Si, 0.2 Fe, 0.2 Mn and 0.1 Cu was investigated. Slow cooling rates were simulated by isothermal treatment for predetermined times in lower temperature baths immediately after solution heat treatment. Treatment for 10–100 s at temperatures below 400 °C introduced susceptibility to IGC. Longer heat treatment at the same temperatures introduced susceptibility to pitting. A corrosion resistant time zone was found between the zones of IGC and pitting at temperatures lower than 350 °C. Quenching in water after solution heat treatment prevented IGC. IGC was related to microgalvanic coupling between the noble Q-phase (Al4Mg8Si7Cu2) grain boundary precipitates and the adjacent depleted zone. Pitting was attributed to coarse particles in the matrix. Possible mechanisms causing the corrosion resistant intermediate zone are discussed. The results indicate possible methods for obtaining increased corrosion resistance of similar alloys by proper thermal processing.