Dynamic Impact Response of Ultrafine Grained AA5052 Aluminum Alloy Processed Via Multiaxial Forging at Cryogenic Temperature

In this study, high strain rate mechanical test was conducted on ultrafine-grained AA5052 aluminum alloy using the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiment. The AA5052 aluminum alloy was processed via multiaxial forging under cryogenic condition at two different cycles to achieve grain refinement and ultimately, increase in strength of the material. The average strain rates that the specimens were subjected to during the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiment ranges from 1000 s-1 to 5000 s-1 at an increment of 1000 s-1. The EBSD map shows that the average grain size of the AA5052 aluminum alloys for the samples processed at 4-cycles is approximately ~900 nm while the samples processed at 6-cycles have a lower average grain size of approximately ~700 nm due to being subjected to more plastic deformation during the processing. The high strain rate deformation process of both specimens was dominated by thermal softening with minima strain hardening effect. During the deformation, the maximum flow stress experienced by samples that was processed at 4-cycles is 410 MPa at 5000 s-1 strain rate while samples processed at 6-cycles has 494 MPa at 3000 s-1. Strain hardenability is not dominant in the deformation mechanism but relative to AA5052 CF (4-cycles), AA5052 CF (6-cycles) has a better strain hardening exponent as the strain rate increases. Both specimens have the highest strain hardening exponent at 1000 s-1 which is 0.1544 and 0.134 for AA5052 CF (4-cycles) and AA5052 CF (6-cycles), respectively. Our results show that AA5052 CF (6-cycles) possesses better mechanical properties under high strain rate in comparison with AA5052 CF (6-cycles).

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic AA5052 Aluminum Alloy Surface with Improved Corrosion Resistance and Self Cleaning Property

The development of a self-cleaning and corrosion resistant superhydrophobic coating for aluminum alloy surfaces that is durable in aggressive conditions has attracted great interest in materials science. In the present study, a superphydrophobic film was fabricated on an AA5052 aluminum alloy surface by the electrodeposition of Ni–Co alloy coating, followed by modification with 6-(N-allyl-1,1,2,2-tetrahydro-perfluorodecyl) amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium (AF17N). The surface morphology and characteristics of the composite coatings were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), atomic force microscope (AFM) and contact angle (CA). The corrosion resistance of the coatings was assessed by electrochemical tests. The results showed that the surface exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning performance with a contact angle maintained at 160° after exposed to the atmosphere for 240 days. Moreover, the superhydrophobic coatings significantly improved the corrosion resistant performance of AA5052 aluminum alloy substrate in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution.