The effect of reversion heat treatment on the degree of sensitisation for aluminium alloy AA5083

A detailed study of reversion heat treatment on a naturally sensitised field retrieved AA5083 (Al-Mg-Mn) sample was carried out. The reversion temperatures studied were between 150 and 240 °C, which span the β-phase (Mg2Al3) transformation temperature. The degree of sensitisation (DoS) prior to and after reversion was investigated via the nitric acid mass loss test (NAMLT); revealing the effect of reversion heat treatment was principally dictated by reversion temperature. The DoS of reversion treated samples was correlated to the grain boundary β-phase continuity, as assessed by quantitative electron microscopy herein.