The effect of shot peening on corrosion performance of anodized laser powder bed fusion manufactured AlSi10Mg

Abstract

Anodizing is commonly used on aluminium to improve the surface properties of the product for better corrosion resistance and wear resistance. In this research, the anodizing of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) manufactured AlSi10Mg parts which were subjected to prior shot peening (SP) were investigated. Anodized specimens were analysed using SEM imaging and the corrosion properties were examined considering the effect of residual stress relief heat treatment and the SP process. The results showed that the SP deteriorates the corrosion performance of the material as such, but together with the subsequent anodizing it resulted to the lowest corrosion current of all investigated structures. As the SP can be used to lower the surface roughness of the LPBF parts and to increase fatigue life as well, the results of this work further encourage the use of SP with anodizing.