Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of AZ80/Al Composite Plate Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

AZ80/Al composite plate was fabricated by means of friction stir processing (FSP) aimed at the improvement of corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy. The cross-section microstructure, surface morphology and corrosion resistance of the Al composite layer were investigated. The experiment results indicated that a dense composite Al layer with superfine and uniform grains was formed, and a few amount of intermetallic compounds existed in the area of Mg/Al interface. The bonding strength of AZ80 magnesium alloy substrate and 1060 pure Al layer was proved to be high which was resulted from the metallurgical bonding of FSP. Microhardness measurement showed the continuous changing of microhardness values from the outmost surface of composite Al layer to the magnesium alloy substrate. Results of electrochemical corrosion test of the composite plate in 5 wt.% NaCl solution showed the better protection effect of the composite Al layer on the magnesium alloy in a corrosion medium. Almost the same corrosion level on the whole corrosion surface was observed which indicated the highly uniform microstructure of the composite layer. It was also proved that the plain arches on the outmost surface of the composite Al layer had no influence on the corrosion resistance of composite Al layer.