Effects of annealing temperature on the mechanical properties and sensitization of 5083-H116 aluminum alloy

This study elucidates how annealing temperature affects the mechanical properties and sensitization of 5083-H116 aluminum alloys. Nitric Acid Mass Loss Test was conducted to investigate the sensitization behavior of the annealed specimens. The results indicated that the mechanical properties were more sensitive to the annealing temperature than to the annealing time. The mechanical properties of the alloys became rapidly worse upon annealing between 250 and 350 ℃. 5083-H116 aluminum alloy became sensitized and susceptible to intergranular corrosion at an annealing temperature of 175 ℃ for 48 h. The distribution and shapes of β-phase particles markedly affected the sensitization. Exposing at the temperatures of 230–250 ℃ for 10–30 min could effectively improve the sensitization of the 5083-H116 alloys.