Effect of sensitization on corrosion properties of TIG welded Al-Mg alloy

The effect of sensitization on the intergranular corrosion (IGC) of TIG welded AlMg6Mn was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and corrosion NAMLT tests. The as-received hot rolled AlMg6Mn alloy plates with a thickness of 8 mm were welded by TIG welding with S-AlMg5 as a filler material. Specimens were sensitized at 100°C for 7 days. It was found that welded specimens are sensitive to IGC. The. mass loss in NAML test was 106.7 mg/cm². The welding increases the susceptibility to IGC, since the mass loss of the base metal at the same test was 70.7 mg/cm². The increase of susceptibility to IGC is attributed to significant continually precipitated Mg-rich phase along the grain boundaries during the sensitization treatment.