Corrosion susceptibility of peened friction stir welded 7075 aluminum alloy joints

Effects of surface treatment techniques like laser and shot peening on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of friction stir welded (FSW) 7075 aluminum alloy joints were investigated. This study had two parts; the first part investigated the peening effects on stress corrosion cracking susceptibility in FSW samples by slow strain rate testing in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The second part of the study investigated the effects of peening on corrosion while submerged in a 3.5% NaCl solution with no external loads applied. No signs of corrosion pitting or SCC were evident on any of the tensile samples during the slow strain rate testing. The FSW plates exposed in 3.5% NaCl solution for 60 days were inspected periodically for signs of corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in the areas expected to have residual stresses due to welding. Pitting corrosion was seen on the samples, but even after 60 day exposure no stress corrosion cracking was detected on any of the peened or unpeened samples.