Influence of Copper Addition on the Thermal Stability and Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum 6082 Alloy

AluminumAluminum demand has dramatically increased as a result of the electrification of the automotiveAutomotive industry. Temperature has a significant impact on strength, especially in 6xxx6xxx series that can be strengthened through precipitation hardening and thermal stabilityThermal stability is regulated by copperCopper. However, copperCopper has a detrimental impact on corrosionCorrosion behavior. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimum copperCopper content in alloy designAlloy design. This study examines how the presence of copperCopper affects the 60826082 alloyAlloys’s thermal stabilityThermal stability and corrosionCorrosion behavior. AlloysAlloys with varying Cu contents were cast via DC castingDC Casting and subsequently subjected homogenizationHomogenization, extrusionExtrusion, and heat treatmentHeat treatment to achieve the T6 condition. To assess the specimens’ mechanicalMechanical characteristics and corrosionCorrosion resistance, tensile and corrosionCorrosion testing were carried out. Samples were analyzed using optical microscopy to understand microstructural characteristics and corrosionCorrosion mechanisms. This research provides valuable insight about 60826082 alloyAlloys that is widely employed in the automotiveAutomotive industry.