Enhancing the intergranular corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–xSi–Cu–Zn alloys by synergistic intergranular and intragranular precipitation behaviors

The intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance of age-hardening Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloys is closely related to the precipitation behavior adjacent to grain boundaries. In this study, we proposed to regulate the interaction of solute atoms and solute partitioning of Zn-containing Al–Mg–xSi–Cu alloys by introducing dislocations, which can synergistically decorate the intergranular and intragranular precipitation behavior. Consequently, the continuity of grain boundary precipitates and width of solute-depleted precipitate-free zones are inhibited accompanied with high number density or coarse precipitate in the matrix. As a result, the IGC resistance is greatly improved without strength and ductility loss, and the related mechanism has been proposed.