Effects of Two-Step Aging Temperature on Exfoliation Corrosion of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy

The effects of two-step aging temperature on exfoliation corrosion of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy were characterized by EXCO test, electrochemical test and TEM observations. Results suggested that the partial recrystallized structure is susceptible to exfoliation corrosion which is greatly influenced by intergranular corrosion. The transfer current of the sample aged at 170°C (second-step aging temperature) is higher than that of the sample aged at 155°C. The second-step aging temperature exhibits more contributation to the exfoliation corrosion in this investigation, compared to the first-step aging temperature.