Homogenization Heat Treatment for Enhancing Corrosion Resistance and Tribological Properties of the Al5083-H111 Alloy

In this study, an Al5083-H111 alloy was divided into two different parameters without heat treatment and by applying homogenization heat treatment. In the homogenized Al5083 sample, it helped to make the matrix structure more homogeneous and refined and distribute intermetallic phases, such as the Al-Mg phase (Mg₂Al₃) and Al-Fe phases, more evenly in the matrix. There was an increase in the hardness of the homogenized sample. The increase in hardness is due to the material having a more homogeneous structure. Corrosion tests were applied to these parameters in NaCl and NaOH. It is observed that Al5083 samples before and after heat treatment show better corrosion resistance and less weight loss in NaOH and NaCl environments. It was observed that the fracture resistance of the alloy in the NaOH solution was lower, and the weight loss was higher than the alloy in the NaCl solution. Wear tests were performed on two different parameters: a dry environment and a NaOH solution. Since the NaOH solution has a lubricating effect on the wear surface of the sample and increases the corrosion resistance of the oxide layers formed, the wear resistance of the alloys in dry environments was lower than the wear resistance of the alloys in the NaOH solution. A hydrogen evolution test was performed on the samples in the NaOH solution, and the results were recorded. Hydrogen production showed higher hydrogen output from the homogenized sample. Accordingly, a higher corrosion rate was observed.