The time-temperature-corrosion susceptibility in a 7050-T7451 friction stir weld

The temperature gradient occurring for a short time during friction stir welding greatly affects the localized corrosion properties of welded 7050-T7451 plates. An immersion experiment in a salty solution was carried out in order to verify the influence of short-term post-weld heat treatments at temperatures similar to those taking place during friction stir welding on the corrosion behaviour of friction stir welded 7050-T7451. The experiment consisted of inserting thermocouples at different weld regions for the registration of the temperature development with time, and partially immersing the welded plate in a salty solution at 480 °C. In this manner, the weld experienced different temperature expositions at different locations. It was found that a temperature exposition above 180 °C for 20 min significantly increases the general corrosion resistance of friction stir welded 7050-T7451. The re-exposition of 7050-T7451 friction stir weld to a time-temperature combination similar to that occurring during the welding process on the thermomechanically heat affected zones of the weld, significantly improves the corrosion properties and the environmental cracking resistance. After the short-term temperature exposition, the fracture location of samples tested in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution moved from the corrosion susceptible thermomechanically affected zone to the heat affected zone.