Effect of substrate microstructure on corrosion resistance of cast and forged anodised 6082 Al alloy

Abstract

This work addresses the effect of the surface morphology of a 6082-aluminium alloy on the characteristics of the anodic layer generated by an anodising process using two current densities. The samples tested were horizontal direct chill (HDC), vertical direct chill (VDC) cast billets, and the same material after forged + T6 ageing treatment. Samples were anodised in a mixed citric acid‑sulphuric acid electrolyte using 0.5 A⋅dm−2 and 1.5 A⋅dm−2. D.C. current densities. The protective character of the oxide layer was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.1 M NaCl solution.Microstructural characterisation revealed that the microsegregation and forging processes have a significant effect on the growth of the oxide layer as well as on the optimum anodising conditions. The EIS study showed that the corrosion protection provided by the oxide layer on Al6082 alloy was strongly affected by the manufacturing process, with thinner oxide layers obtained for cast billets. Heat treatment and forging homogenise the microstructure, which positively affects anodising and modifies the growth rate and thickness of the oxide layer. This effect makes obtaining a thicker oxide layer with good corrosion protective properties possible by using lower current densities for forged samples.