Mechanical and electrochemical characteristics of solutionized AA 6061, AA6013 and AA 5086 aluminum alloys

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of age hardening on three different aluminum alloys: AA 6061, AA6013 and AA 5086. Different characterizing and testing techniques were utilized in this study. The XRD results for 6xxx series demonstrated the Mg2Si formation with different orientations after natural and artificial aging (NAT and AAT), while MgZn2 phase was depicted in AA 5086 alloy. The friction coefficient of all naturally aged Al alloys at room temperature (RT) was found to be higher than the friction coefficient of the artificially aged Al alloys at 175 °C. For group series 6xxx the corrosion resistance was decreased after the natural aging at RT, while the corrosion resistance was improved after artificial age treatment at 175 °C for 30 min (AAT). The reduction in the friction coefficient and the growing in the corrosion resistance of the Al alloys after artificial age hardening make them potentially be used in many industrial sectors.