Effects of Copper Addition on the Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of 6063 Aluminum Alloy in 1 Molar Brine Solution

This study investigates the influence of 5%-15% copper addition, heat treatment on the corrosion rate in 1 molar brine solution on hardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength of 6063 Aluminum alloy. Calculated portion of copper was melted in a pit furnace maintained at 800 C and 6063 aluminum alloy balance weight was added and allowed to homogenize for 15 min and subsequently normalized at 480 C for 2 h and finally air cooled. Test samples prepared from heat-treated and non heat- treated alloy were machined for hardness and impact test as well as corrosion rate test in 1 mol brine solution. Weight loss corrosion testing method was used to establish the corrosion rate. The results show that hardness and UTS improve progressively with increase in copper addition while the impact energy decreased. Corrosion resistance, hardness and UTS were positively affected by the heat treatment. The authors therefore recommend 5%-15% copper addition and normalized heat treatment to 6063 aluminum alloy for improved hardness, UTS and corrosion resistance for components to be used in marine environments, storage facilities as well as oil wells.