Aging-induced enhancement of corrosion resistance in Al-4Ni-1Mn alloys through Al3(Sc, Zr) precipitates

Abstract

Al-Ni-Mn alloys are attractive for high-temperature, corrosive environment due to the formation of stable intermetallic compounds that can reduce corrosion susceptibility. This study showed that the additions of Mn, Sc, and Zr in Al-4 % Ni alloys significantly enhanced hardness and thermal stability through the simultaneous effect of transformation of the Al + Al3Ni to Al + Al9(Ni, Mn)2 eutectic and precipitation of Al3(Sc, Zr). The thermal stability of an Al-4 % Ni-1 % Mn alloy was very good when exposed to 350 °C for 60 h. Additionally, the hardness substantially increased in an Al-4 % Ni-1 % Mn alloy with the addition of Sc and Zr, showing an approximate increase of 30 %. The highest hardness achieved was approximately 50 % higher with the optimal Sc and Zr content as compared to the Al-4Ni-1Mn alloy. Addition of 1 % Mn to an Al-4 % Ni alloy decreased the current density (Icorr) and increased the corrosion potential (Ecorr), indicating better corrosion resistance. The effects of Sc and Zr additions on corrosion were also investigated, revealing that the increased Sc and Zr content led to more aggressive corrosion in the as-cast condition due to the eutectic coarsening and a high solid solution concentration of Sc and Zr that led to microstructural instability and electrochemical effects. However, after aging at 350 °C, the corrosion resistance significantly improved due to the Al3(Sc, Zr) precipitates that interrupted the corrosion path.