The influence of copper content on intergranular corrosion of model AlMgSi(Cu) alloys

Abstract Application prospects in automotive and aerospace industry have led to extensive studies on AA6xxx alloys in recent years. Varying amounts of Mg, Si and Cu and heat treatments are used to achieve the desired mechanical properties in these alloys. In this investigation, a series of tests have been designed and carried out on model AlMgSi(Cu) alloys to investigate the effects of Cu, Mg and Si composition and heat treatments on the corrosion properties for a range of Cu content levels (0.03, 0.15 and 0.80 wt%, respectively). The results indicate that the localized corrosion susceptibility of the model alloys primarily increased with Cu content. The Si and Mg content and ratio do not appear to have a significant effect on the local corrosion behaviour. Heat treatment can improve the corrosion resistance. However, this effect is small compared to that of the Cu content for the range of model alloys investigated. Intergranular corrosion will occur by micro‐galvanic coupling between the cathodic AlMgSi(Cu) (Q) phase precipitates and the aluminum matrix adjacent to the particles. The increasing susceptibility to intergranular corrosion with Cu content can be attributed to an increased formation of Q phase particles.