Effect of nano Al (Sc_x-1Zr_x) precipitates on the mechanical and corrosion behavior of Al-2.5 Mg alloys

Microanalytical, mechanical, and corrosion studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of nano-precipitates of Al(Sc_x-1Zr _x) on the mechanical and corrosion characteristics of Al 2.5 alloy containing 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt% of Sc with 0.15 wt% Zr. Addition of 0.3% Sc significantly increased the yield strength due to small precipitates sizes (5-19 nm) and the high coherency of the nano-particles. Largest contributor to the strength was grain boundary strengthening caused by pinning of grain boundary precipitates. The alloys showed a good resistance to corrosion in 3.5 wt% neutral chloride solution. The alloy offered a high passivation tendency because of homogeneous coherent nano Al(Sc_x-1Zr_x) precipitates. The nano precipitates interfaces and homogeneously distributed Al₃Sc precipitates offer a high degree of corrosion resistance to Al 2.5 Mg Sc alloys compared to conventional aluminum alloys, such as Al 6061 and Al6013.