materials

Article
The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Sensitized
Corrosion of the 5383-H116 Al-Mg Alloy
Ying-Kai Lin 1 , Shing-Hai Wang 2 , Ren-Yu Chen 3 , Tso-Sheng Hsieh 1 , Liren Tsai 1 and
Chia-Chin Chiang 1, *
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences,
Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan; u8812331@gmail.com (Y.-K.L.);
srcx2s904@gmail.com (T.-S.H.); liren@kuas.edu.tw (L.T.)
2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Fortune Institute of Technology, No. 28, Zhixue Rd., Daliao Dist.,
Kaohsiung City 831, Taiwan; shing-hae_wang@hotmail.com
3 Naval Shipbuilding Development Center, Navy Command R.O.C., Taipei City 104, Taiwan;
renyu.tw@gamil.com
* Correspondence: ccchiang@kuas.edu.tw; Tel.: +886-07-381-4526 (ext. 5340)

Academic Editor: Chien-Hung Liu

Received: 27 December 2016; Accepted: 6 March 2017; Published: 9 March 2017

Abstract: In this study, the effects of heat treatment and sensitized corrosion on the 5383-H116 Al-Mg
alloy were investigated for temperatures ranging from 100 to 450 ◦ C. The results show that the heat
treatment temperature is the main factor that causes changes to the microstructure and mechanical
strength of the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy, inducing β-phase (Al3 Mg2 ) precipitation in the form of
a continuous layer along the grain boundaries. Intergranular corrosion was caused by the β-phase
of the grain boundary precipitation, and the corrosion susceptibility of the recrystallized structure
was significantly higher than the corrosion susceptibility of the recovered structure. According to
the conductivity values detected, β-phase precipitation can enhance the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy
conductivity, with the response due to structural dislocation density being higher than that due to
the recrystallized structure. As such, the β-phase precipitation after sensitization is more significant
than the β-phase precipitation prior to the sensitization, such that after sensitization, the conductivity
rises to a significantly higher level than that exhibited by the recrystallization structure.

Keywords: 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy; sensitization; NAMLT; β phase-Al3 Mg2

1. Introduction
The 5XXX series Al-Mg alloy is known to be lightweight, easy to machine, and high in strength,
among other attributes [1,2]. Since the 1950s, large amounts of the alloy have been used in the structures
of ships due to its excellent corrosion resistance when immersed in seawater [3,4]. Use of the alloy
allowed the weights of vessels produced with it to be significantly reduced, an improvement which
translated into fuel savings and associated environmental advantages [5]. However, the applications
of aluminum and its alloys in this field were far less advanced than those of various steels because of
cost and formability issues at room temperature [6]. Marine applications for Al-Mg alloys are mainly
divided into the construction of ship frames and outfitting. The aluminum materials used by each
shipyard differ according to the ship design and the task requirements. ASTM B928 standards state
that the 5086, 5083, 5383, 5456, and 5059 Al-Mg alloys and H116 and H321 Al-Mg tempers are suitable
for marine service. H116 temper plates are manufactured and hardened using cold rolling, while H321
temper plates are stabilized by low-temperature heating after the hardening process in order to cause
the β-phase to be evenly spread through the Al matrix, thus improving the intergranular corrosion and
stripping resistances. The main alloying element in marine Al-Mg alloys is Mg; the strength increases

Materials 2017, 10, 275; doi:10.3390/ma10030275 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2017, 10, 275 2 of 9

as the amount of Mg increases [7]. Popović [8] proposed that the change in the differential dislocation
density during the recovery or recrystallization has little effect on the conductivity, and the main
difference is due to the solid solution or precipitation of the β-phase. The primary corrosion problems
of Al-Mg alloys, in which the β-phase Al3 Mg2 has a temperature range of 50–200 ◦ C, will gradually
result in a sensitization phenomenon due to the formation of β-phase layers at the grain boundaries.
In this study, we observed microstructure changes and used the nitric acid mass loss test (NAMLT),
known as the ASTM G67-13 NAMLT, to investigate the corrosion characteristics of the 5383-H116
Al-Mg alloy [9].

2. Literature and Theory

2.1. Al-Mg Alloy Sensitization Characteristics

ASTM B928 defines Al-Mg alloy sensitization as the precipitation of the β-phase at the grain
boundaries [10]. When the density of β-phase precipitates increases, the degree of sensitization (DoS)
also increases. Under corrosive or stressful conditions, this leads to intergranular corrosion and stress
corrosion. In addition, as the DoS within the microstructure cannot be exactly determined, ASTM B928
requires Al-Mg alloy to be subject to the ASTM G67-13 NAMLT [11] to measure the mass loss during
corrosion in order to ascertain the DoS. A mass loss of less than 15 mg/cm2 is considered not sensitized,
a mass loss of between 15 and 25 mg/cm2 is considered partially sensitized, and a mass loss of over
25 mg/cm2 is considered sensitized.

2.2. β-Phase Precipitation Characteristics and Effects on Corrosion

2.2.1. Influence of Mg Content on β-Phase Precipitation

Gupta et al. [12] examined the NAMLT mass loss and β-phase precipitation of Al-Mg alloys with
varying Mg contents after sensitization treatment (150 ◦ C/7 days) and found that with a Mg content
>4 wt. %, the mass loss increased linearly and the proportion of the β-phase precipitation increased
as the Mg content increased. Dix et al. [13] investigated the influence of Mg content on Al-Mg alloy
sensitization and stress corrosion and found potential differences between the precipitates and the
Al matrix, leading them to propose the Al-Mg alloy anodic dissolution stress corrosion mechanism
wherein the stress corrosion sensitivity increases as the Mg content increases. Czyryca et al. [14] tested
5086, 5083, and 5456 Al-Mg alloys for corrosion when soaked in saltwater, when salt-spray tested,
and under harbor exposure conditions. The results showed that the degree of corrosion and the Mg
content were directly proportional, with the 5086 alloy experiencing the lowest level of corrosion,
followed by the 5083 and 5456 alloys.

2.2.2. Influence of Sensitization Temperature and Time on β-Phase Precipitation

Searles et al. [15] pointed out that the sensitization temperatures of 5XXX Al-Mg alloys are between
50–200 ◦ C and that different sensitization temperatures and isothermal holding times cause different
amounts of corrosion. In addition, the sensitization temperature range and isothermal holding time are
the main factors influencing Al-Mg alloy β-phase precipitation. Oguocha et al. [16] tested the corrosion
resistance of 5083-H116 at 80, 100, 150, 175, and 200 ◦ C and at different heating times and found
that the 150–200 ◦ C range caused high sensitization, with the most sensitization and corrosion mass
loss occurring at 175 ◦ C. They also noted that in a corrosive environment, mass loss increases as the
isothermal holding time increases. Jones et al. [17] investigated the corrosion of 5083-H321 at 175 ◦ C
with different heating times and concluded that as the heating time increased within the 50–200 ◦ C
sensitization range, the β-phase precipitation became more dense and connected and the fissure growth
rate increased; thus, the β-phase precipitation density increased and the stress corrosion became more
significant. Lim et al. [18] investigated the 5083 Al-Mg alloy intergranular corrosion permeation depth
and the relationship between the electrochemical corrosion environment and metallurgy conditions
Materials 2017, 10, 275 3 of 9

and found that the β-phase corrosion depth and sensitization time were directly proportional and
affected by the grain direction, specifically that corrosion permeated following the rolling direction.

3. Experiment Setup
This study used 6-mm-thick 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy plates produced by Alcan incorporation.
Prior to the experiment, the composition of the sample was analyzed using a glow discharge
spectrometer (GDS) as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. The components of 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy (wt. %).

Element Si Fe Cu Mn Mg Cr Zn Ti Al
5383-H116 0.07 0.21 0.09 0.81 4.70 0.08 0.08 0.02 remainder

3.1. Heat Treatment Stage

5383-H116 aluminum alloys were cut into cubes (10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm for optical microscope
(OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and cuboids (6 mm × 6 mm × 10 mm, for ASTM
G-67 mass loss test), and subsequently placed in ovens for isothermal aging experiments. The aging
temperatures were set to 25, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 ◦ C (the heating rate was about
10 ◦ C/min and the temperature of the ovens was controlled to within 0.5 ◦ C) to produce microstructure
changes in the alloys and held there for 30 min before quenching of the alloys was performed in room
temperature water. The heat treated test samples then underwent sensitization treatment at 175 ◦ C
for 168 h and were then water quenched. After the β-phase precipitated, the samples were analyzed
under a microscope, underwent corrosion testing, and were measured for electrical conductivity.

3.2. Corrosion Testing

According to ASTM G67, the dimensions of the test specimen were 50 mm × 6 mm × 6 mm,
and the specimen was soaked in 5% NaOH solution at 80 ◦ C to remove the surface oxidation and
impurities. This was followed by its continuous immersion in HNO3 solution at 30 ◦ C for 24 h to
calculate the weight loss per unit area (mg/cm2 ), which allowed, in turn, for the evaluation of the
sensitivity of the intergranular corrosion.

3.3. Measuring Electrical Conductivity

By measuring the electrical conductivity, it is possible to assess the microstructure of the alloy and
the changes in β phase precipitation. This study used a Sigmascope SMP10 (Fischer Technology, Inc.,
Windsor, CT, USA) for electrical conductivity measurement. Calibration was completed before the
experiment using the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS); the unit of this test was % IACS.
After calibration, the electrical conductivity of each test strip was measured to investigate the changes
in conductivity in alloys manufactured with different heat treatments and different sensitivities.

4. Results and Discussion

4.1. Microstructure Changes Resulting from the Heat Treatment

The overall microstructure was similar to the original material during the recovery phase from
25–300 ◦ C and there were no noticeable changes. The grains were still fibrous and distributed
in the direction of rolling (Figure 1b–f). When the temperature surpassed the recrystallization
temperature, some grains were ready for nucleation and growth. Fibrous grain structures and small
recrystallized structures can both be seen in Figure 1f; the dislocations would be eliminated during
the recrystallization process and small grains without strain would be nucleated. At a temperature of
350 ◦ C, the microstructure was already made up of strainless, equiaxed grains. At 450 ◦ C, the equiaxed
recrystallized structure was maintained, indicating that the high temperature provided sufficient
Materials 2017, 10, 275 4 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 275 4 of 9

energy
sufficientto energy
completely release the
to completely stored
release thestrain
storedenergy. The results
strain energy. indicated
The results that suitable
indicated heat
that suitable
treatment temperatures are lower than the recovery temperature of 250 ◦ C, as no major changes
heat treatment temperatures are lower than the recovery temperature of 250 °C, as no major changes
to
to the
the microstructure
microstructure occurred
occurred when
when the
the samples
samples were
were treated
treated at
at such
such temperatures.
temperatures. When
When thethe
temperature was over 300 ◦ C, however, the microstructure recrystallized and the mechanical strength
temperature was over 300 °C, however, the microstructure recrystallized and the mechanical strength
decreased. Heat treatment
treatment temperatures
temperatures of ◦ C caused β-phase precipitation and sensitization.
65–200 °C
decreased. Heat of 65–200 caused β-phase precipitation and sensitization.
In
In aa corrosive
corrosive environment,
environment, this
this will
will cause
cause intergranular
intergranular corrosion
corrosion and
and stress
stresscorrosion.
corrosion.

Figure 1. OM images of 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy at different heat treatment temperatures. (a) 25 °C; ◦ C;
◦
(b) 100 °C; ◦
C; (c) 150 °C; ◦
C; (d) 200 °C;
C; (e)
(e) 250 ◦
250 °C;
C; (f)
(f) 300 ◦
300 °C;
C;(g)
(g)350 ◦
350°C;C;(h)
(h)400 ◦
400°C;C;(i)
(i)450 ◦
450°C.C.

4.2. Influence
4.2. Influence of Sensitization on
of Sensitization on Microstructure
Microstructure and
and Mechanical
Mechanical Properties
Properties
After sensitization
After sensitizationtreatment,
treatment, different
different microstructure
microstructure patterns
patterns were produced
were produced duedifferent
due to the to the
different heat treatment temperatures. Also, because the β-phase
heat treatment temperatures. Also, because the β-phase underwent heterogeneous nucleation underwent heterogeneous
nucleation
at high energyat high energy
regions, theregions, the microstructure
microstructure patterns firstpatterns first precipitated
precipitated at the grainatboundaries,
the grain
boundaries, then dislocated, and finally precipitated within the grain. The β-phase
then dislocated, and finally precipitated within the grain. The β-phase precipitation indicated that the precipitation
indicated that
sensitization the sensitization
temperature only causedtemperature
the β-phase only
to caused theand
precipitate β-phase
did nottochange
precipitate andtreatment
the heat did not
change the heat treatment structure. Within the recovery temperature
structure. Within the recovery temperature range, the sensitized appearance was still fiber-shaped. range, the sensitized
appearance
At was stilltemperature
a heat treatment fiber-shaped. At a heat
greater than treatment temperature
the recrystallization greater
range, than the recrystallization
the sensitized microstructure
range, the sensitized
transformed microstructure
from partially transformed
recrystallized from partially The
to fully recrystallized. recrystallized
5383-H116toAl-Mg
fully recrystallized.
alloy β-phase
The 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy
◦ β-phase precipitation at 25–450 °C is shown
precipitation at 25–450 C is shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows the β-phase precipitations for in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows
each
the β-phase precipitations for each heat
heat treatment after sensitization (175 C/168 h).◦ treatment after sensitization (175 °C/168 h).
The results
The results of
of the
the stretching
stretching tests
tests for
for the
the 5383-H116
5383-H116 Al-Mg Al-Mg alloy
alloy heat-treated
heat-treated from
from 25 25 ◦°C to
C to
450 °C
◦ are shown in Figure 4. The Yield Strength (YS) fell by varying degrees
450 C are shown in Figure 4. The Yield Strength (YS) fell by varying degrees as the heat treatment as the heat treatment
temperature rose.
temperature rose. The
The highest
highest YS YS was 214 MPa.
was 214 MPa. If If the
the heat treatment temperature
heat treatment temperature was within the
was within the
recovery period, the loss of tensile strength was negligible; however, as the number
recovery period, the loss of tensile strength was negligible; however, as the number of dislocations of dislocations
decreased, creating
decreased, creating dislocations
dislocations with with low
low strain
strain energy,
energy,the theductility
ductilityof ofthe
thematerial
materialwas
wasincreased.
increased.
Materials 2017, 10, 275 5 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 275 5 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 275 5 of 9

Figure
Figure 2. 2.OM
OM images
images of of 5383-H116
5383-H116 Al-Mg
Al-Mg alloy
alloy β-phase
β-phase precipitation
precipitationatatdifferent
differentannealing
annealing
Figure 2. OM images ◦ of 5383-H116
◦ Al-Mg
◦ alloy ◦β-phase precipitation
◦ ◦at different◦ annealing◦
temperatures.
temperatures. (a)(a)
2525C;
°C;(b)
(b)100
100 °C; (c)150
C; (c) 150 °C;
C; (d) 200 °C;
C; (e)
(e)250
250°C; C;(f)
(f)300
300°C;C;(g)(g)350 °C;C;
350 (h)(h)
400400
°C; C;
temperatures.
◦ C.°C. (a) 25 °C; (b) 100 °C; (c) 150 °C; (d) 200 °C; (e) 250 °C; (f) 300 °C; (g) 350 °C; (h) 400 °C;
(i) (i)
450450
(i) 450 °C.

Figure 3. OM images of 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy β-phase precipitation at different annealing

Figure 3. OM images of 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy β-phase precipitation at different annealing
temperatures
Figure 3. OM after 175 °C/168
images h sensitization.
of 5383-H116 Al-Mg(a) 25 °C;
alloy (b) 100 °C;
β-phase (c) 150 °C; (d)
precipitation 200 °C; (e)annealing
at different 250 °C;
temperatures after 175◦ °C/168 h sensitization. (a) 25 °C; (b) 100 °C; (c) 150 °C; (d) 200 °C; (e) 250 °C;
(f) 300 °C; (g)
temperatures 350 175
after °C; (h) 400 °C;
C/168 (i) 450 °C.
h sensitization. (a) 25 ◦ C; (b) 100 ◦ C; (c) 150 ◦ C; (d) 200 ◦ C; (e) 250 ◦ C;
(f) 300 °C; (g) 350 °C; (h) 400 °C; (i) 450 °C.
(f) 300 ◦ C; (g) 350 ◦ C; (h) 400 ◦ C; (i) 450 ◦ C.
Materials 2017, 10, 275 6 of 9

Materials 2017, 10, 275 6 of 9

Materials 2017, 10, 275 6 of 9

Figure 4. 5383-H116 tension test results after different annealing and sensitization treatment.
Figure 4.
Figure 5383-H116 tension
4. 5383-H116 tension test
test results
results after
after different
different annealing
annealing and
and sensitization
sensitization treatment.
treatment.
4.3. Influence of Heat Treatment and Sensitization Treatment on Intergranular Corrosion Sensitivity
4.3. Influence of
4.3. Influence Heat
ofThe
Heat Treatment
Treatment
5383-H116 and
and
Al-Mg Sensitization
Sensitization
alloy Treatment
treated aton
Treatment
test strips heat onIntergranular
Intergranular
25–450 Corrosion
Corrosion
°C for 30 min Sensitivity
Sensitivity
experienced weight
loss within the acceptable parameters (<25 mg/cm2), indicating that microstructure transformation
The ◦ C for 30 min experienced weight
The 5383-H116
5383-H116
did not greatlyAl-Mg
Al-Mg affectalloy
alloy test
test strips
strips
the corrosion heat
heat treated
treated
resistance. at
at 25–450
25–450test
The heat-treated °C samples
for 30 minthen experienced
underwent weight
loss 2 ),2were
loss within
within the
theacceptable
sensitization
acceptable parameters
treatment at 175 °C(<25
parameters for
(<25mg/cm
168mg/cm
h and indicating
), that microstructure
then water-quenched.
indicating that After the
microstructure transformation
β-phase did
transformation
not greatlyprecipitated,
affect the the samples resistance.
corrosion were analyzed The under a microscope.
heat-treated Under
test all heat
samples treatment
then conditions,
underwent sensitization
did not greatly affect the corrosion resistance. The heat-treated test samples then 2underwent
the mass loss
◦ Cfor the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy after sensitization treatment was greater than 25 mg/cm ,
treatment
sensitizationat 175
treatment forat168 175 h °C
andfor were then
168standards.
h andwater-quenched.
were After the β-phase precipitated,
exceeding the ASTM G67-13 NAMLT Figure then water-quenched.
5 shows the 5383-H116 Al-Mg Afteralloythe β-phase
the samples
precipitated, were
the analyzed
samples under
were a microscope.
analyzed under Under
a all
microscope. heat treatment
Under allconditions,
heat the
treatment
intergranular corrosion sensitivity, with the recrystallized structure clearly greater than the recovery mass loss for
conditions,
the 5383-H116 Al-Mg
structure. Thus, alloy
the after
β-phase sensitization
is the main factortreatment
that affects was greater
intergranular than
corrosion25 mg/cm
sensitivity, 2 , exceeding
and the the
the mass loss for the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy after sensitization treatment was greater than 25 mg/cm 2,

ASTM microstructure
G67-13 is the secondary factor that determines intergranular corrosion sensitivity.
exceeding theNAMLT
ASTM standards.
G67-13 NAMLT Figure 5standards.
shows the Figure5383-H116 Al-Mg the
5 shows alloy5383-H116
intergranular corrosion
Al-Mg alloy
sensitivity, with the recrystallized structure clearly greater than the
intergranular corrosion sensitivity, with the recrystallized structure clearly greater than the recovery recovery structure. Thus,
the β-phase
structure. is thethe
Thus, main factoristhat
β-phase the affects intergranular
main factor that affects corrosion sensitivity,
intergranular and the
corrosion microstructure
sensitivity, is
and the
the secondary factor
microstructure is thethat determines
secondary factorintergranular
that determines corrosion sensitivity.
intergranular corrosion sensitivity.

Figure 5. The 5383-H116 NAMLT test results after different heat treatment temperatures and
sensitization treatment.

Figure 5. The 5383-H116 NAMLT test results after different heat treatment temperatures and
Figure 5. The 5383-H116 NAMLT test results after different heat treatment temperatures and
sensitization treatment.
sensitization treatment.
Materials 2017, 10, 275 7 of 9
Materials 2017, 10, 275 7 of 9

The
The results above show
results above that the
show that the β-phase
β-phase has
has heterogeneous
heterogeneous nucleation
nucleation at
at areas
areas of
of high
high energy
energy
and
and precipitates
precipitates first.
first. The
The β-phase
β-phase tends
tends to
to precipitate
precipitate at
at grain
grain boundaries
boundaries regardless
regardless of
of recovery
recovery oror
recrystallization
recrystallization structures. The NAMLT results indicate that the recrystallized structure mass loss is
structures. The NAMLT results indicate that the recrystallized structure mass loss is
higher than that
higher than thatfor
forrecovery
recoverystructures;
structures; therefore,
therefore, DoS
DoS in the
in the recrystallized
recrystallized structure
structure was greater
was greater than
than that
that in thein the recovery
recovery structure.
structure. After
After the the β-phase
β-phase precipitates
precipitates and corrodes,
and corrodes, the unit
the eroded eroded unit
volume
volume is greater in recrystallized structures than in recovered structures, leading to greater
is greater in recrystallized structures than in recovered structures, leading to greater weight loss in weight
loss in recrystallized
recrystallized structures.
structures.

4.4. Changes in Electrical Conductivity during the Sensitization Process

The differences
differencesinin
thethe relative
relative electrical
electrical conductivity
conductivity between between 5383-H116
5383-H116 Al-Mgatalloys
Al-Mg alloys at
different
different heating treatment
heating treatment temperatures
temperatures before andbefore and after sensitization
after sensitization treatment treatment (Δσs) are
(∆σs ) are shown in shown in
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
∆σs = (Cas-sensitized − Cas-annealed )/Cas-annealed × 100%
Δσs = (Cas-sensitized − Cas-annealed)/Cas-annealed × 100%
where C
where as-sensitized is is
Cas-sensitized theelectrical
the electricalconductivity
conductivityofofthe theheat-treated
heat-treatedalloy
alloy after
after sensitization.
sensitization. AsAs shown
shown
in the figure, the microstructure transformation did not greatly affect
in the figure, the microstructure transformation did not greatly affect the electrical conductivity,the electrical conductivity,
although the
although the electrical
electrical conductivity
conductivity of of the
the heat-treated
heat-treated alloysalloys was
was increased
increased after
after sensitization.
sensitization.
The increased electrical conductivity in the recovery structure
The increased electrical conductivity in the recovery structure was greater was greater than in the recrystallized
than in the
structure because the dislocation density in the recovery structure is
recrystallized structure because the dislocation density in the recovery structure is greater greater than the recrystallized
than the
structure as thestructure
recrystallized β-phaseas undergoes
the β-phase heterogeneous nucleation at dislocation
undergoes heterogeneous nucleationareas and the dislocation
at dislocation areas and
tubedislocation
the transfer effect tubediffuses
transferthe Mg,diffuses
effect i.e., a higher
the Mg, dislocation density
i.e., a higher increases
dislocation the rate
density and amount
increases of
the rate
β-phase precipitation. Mulazimoglu et al. [19] also pointed out that the increase
and amount of β-phase precipitation. Mulazimoglu et al. [19] also pointed out that the increase in the in the Mg content
will reduce the
Mg content willconductivity of the alloy due
reduce the conductivity of theto alloy
a large duenumber of supersaturated
to a large Mg atoms being
number of supersaturated Mg
dissolved in the aluminum base, which causes damage to the original
atoms being dissolved in the aluminum base, which causes damage to the original lattice lattice arrangement and, thus,
significantly hinders
arrangement and, thus, its significantly
free electron path,
hinders thereby
its freereducing
electronthe conductivity.
path, According
thereby reducing to the Al-Mg
the conductivity.
binary phasetodiagram,
According the Al-Mg the β-phase precipitation
binary phase diagram, can the
be a β-phase
solution in aluminum by
precipitation annealing
can the alloys
be a solution in
at elevated temperatures exceeding 250 ◦ C.
aluminum by annealing the alloys at elevated temperatures exceeding 250 °C.

4.0

3.5
Relative Conductivity Change%

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
o
Temperature ( C)

Figure 6. Differences
Figure 6. Differences in
in electrical
electrical conductivity
conductivity in
in 5383-H116
5383-H116 NAMLT
NAMLT after different heat
after different heat treatment
treatment
conditions
conditions and sensitization treatment.
and sensitization treatment.

4.5. NAMLT Corrosion

4.5. NAMLT Corrosion
Continuous β-phase precipitation provides a pathway for corrosion transmission. The appearance
Continuous β-phase precipitation provides a pathway for corrosion transmission. The appearance
of SEM images of corrosion in 5383-H116 after different heat treatment conditions and sensitization
of SEM images of corrosion in 5383-H116 after different heat treatment conditions and sensitization
treatment is shown in Figure 7. The corrosion of the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy clearly shows that the
post-heat treatment microstructure is correlated with the differences in corrosion. Corrosion in the
Materials 2017, 10, 275 8 of 9

treatment
Materials 2017,is10,
shown
in Figure 7. The corrosion of the 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy clearly shows that8 the
275 of 9
post-heat treatment microstructure is correlated with the differences in corrosion. Corrosion in the
recovery structures was mainly fiber-like in appearance. Corrosion
recovery Corrosion in
in partly
partly recrystallized
recrystallized structures
structures
was partly fiber-like and partly granular
granular in appearance.
appearance. Finally,
Finally, corrosion in the fully recrystallized
structures was completely granular.
structures

Figure 7. SEM images of corrosion in 5383-H116 after different heat treatment conditions and
Figure 7. SEM images of corrosion in 5383-H116 after different heat treatment conditions and
sensitization treatment. (a) 25 °C; (b) 100 °C; (c) 150 °C; (d) 200 °C; (e) 250 °C; (f) 300 °C; (g) 350 °C;
sensitization treatment. (a) 100 ◦ C; (b) 150 ◦ C; (c) 200 ◦ C; (d) 250 ◦ C; (e) 300 ◦ C; (f) 350 ◦ C; (g) 400 ◦ C;
(h) 400 °C;
◦ (i) 450 °C.
(h) 450 C.

5. Conclusions
5. Conclusions
This study elucidates how heat treatment affects the mechanical properties and sensitization of
This study elucidates how heat treatment affects the mechanical properties and sensitization of
5383-H116 aluminum alloys. The following conclusions are drawn from the above analysis.
5383-H116 aluminum alloys. The following conclusions are drawn from the above analysis.
1. The heat treatment temperature is an important factor affecting 5383-H116 Al-Mg alloy
1. microstructure
The heat treatmentchanges.temperature is an important
When the treatment factorexceeds
temperature affecting
300 5383-H116 Al-Mgbegins
°C, the structure alloy
microstructure changes. When the treatment temperature exceeds 300 ◦ C, the structure begins to
to recrystallize, which decreases the mechanical strength.
2. Therecrystallize,
DoS of thewhich decreasesstructure
recrystallized the mechanical
is bigger strength.
than that of the recovery structure; therefore, in
2. theThesame
DoS of the recrystallized structure is bigger
sensitized environment, the recrystallized than that of the will
structure recovery structure;
be more therefore,
susceptible to
in the same sensitized environment, the
intergranular corrosion than the recovery structure.recrystallized structure will be more susceptible to
3. Theintergranular corrosion than
β-phase precipitation the increase
helps recoverythe structure.
electrical conductivity, especially in the recovery
3. structure
The β-phase precipitation helps increase
due to the higher dislocation density. the electrical conductivity,
In addition, especially
the electrical in the recovery
conductivity after
structure due
sensitization is to the higher
markedly dislocation
increased density.
and can In addition,
be employed the electrical
as indirect evidence conductivity after
of the variation of
sensitization
sensitization. is markedly increased and can be employed as indirect evidence of the variation
of sensitization.
Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Grant
number MOST 106-2623-E-151-001-D).
Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Grant number
MOST 106-2623-E-151-001-D).
Author Contributions: Chia-Chin Chiang designed the study methods and experiments, analyzed the data, and
Authorthe
wrote Contributions:
paper. Ying-KaiChia-Chin Chiang
Lin, Shing-Hai designed
Wang, the study
Tso-Sheng methods
Hsieh, and and
Liren Tsai, experiments, analyzed
Ren-Yu Chen the data,
conducted the
and wrote the paper. Ying-Kai Lin, Shing-Hai Wang, Tso-Sheng Hsieh, Liren Tsai, and Ren-Yu Chen conducted
experiments and analyzed the experimental data.
the experiments and analyzed the experimental data.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Materials 2017, 10, 275 9 of 9

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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