Effect of Thermal Aging on the Corrosion and Microstructure of Friction-Stir Welded Alloy 22

The effect of thermal aging on the corrosion and microstructure of friction-stir welded (FSW) alloy 22 was investigated. Successful welds were produced with a polycrystalline cubic BN pin tool at a rotational speed of 200 rev min(-1) and travel speed of 12.7 mm min(-1). Topologically closed packed (TCP) phases of similar to 50 to 300 nm size were identified in the weld nugget. The area fraction of the TCP phases in the weld nugget increased with aging temperature and time. General corrosion rates measured from the weight loss experiments for welds were relatively higher than for parent material. The corrosion rates increased with the increased aging temperature and time. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance is greater in friction-stir welds compared with the parent material at all aging temperatures and times. The IGC depth increased with the aging temperature and time in the parent material. The IGC depth for the FSW weld nugget was minimal and did not change with thermal aging.