Influence of Friction Stir Processing Parameters on the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Al-Cu-Li Alloy

Novelty: Most of the open literature research has focused on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of AA2050 alloy. Also, a significant study discusses the corrosion behavior of AA2050 alloy based on immersion and electrochemical characteristics. The influence of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir processed AA2050 alloy is scarcely discussed in the open literature. The hot salt corrosion characteristics of friction stir processed AA2050 seldom exists in the available literature. This study concentrates on microhardness, tensile strength, and corrosion properties of friction stir processed AA2050. Also, the work focuses on the influence of artificial aging on the microhardness, and tensile strength of the friction stir processed AA2050.Highlights1.    Friction stir processing of AA2050 (Al-Cu-Li) alloy refined grains and distribution of intermetallic phases2.    Heat treatment increased the ductility of friction stir processed AA2050 alloy 3.    Hot salt corrosion test of friction stir processed AA2050 alloy indicated a less mass loss per unit area than the base material. Abstract - In this work, AA2050 alloy was friction stir processed at various tool rotation speeds and feed rates. The material was subjected to artificial aging to investigate its influence on macrostructure, microstructure, microhardness, and tensile strength of friction stir processed AA2050. Besides, a hot salt corrosion test was done on the test specimens at 130 °C for 168 hours. The results indicate that grain refinement and dispersion of secondary phase particles improved the microhardness and strength of friction stir processed specimens. The artificial aging of the friction stir processed specimens improved the ductility by 81.5%. However, the tensile strength of the specimens decreased by 2.8%. The corrosion (mass loss per unit area) of the specimen processed with a single pass at a speed of 600 rpm and feed rate of 60 mm/min decreased by 90% compared to the base material.