Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints

Abstract Friction stir welding (FSW) of thick extruded AA6082-T6 aluminum alloy plates presents challenges in maintaining optimal mechanical and corrosion properties. This study investigated the effects of incorporating Al₂O₃ interlayer reinforcements on the microstructural, tribological, and corros...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abousoufiane Ouis, Mohamed I. A. Habba, Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed, Waheed S. Barakat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03977-7
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849238509680852992
author Abousoufiane Ouis
Mohamed I. A. Habba
Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed
Waheed S. Barakat
author_facet Abousoufiane Ouis
Mohamed I. A. Habba
Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed
Waheed S. Barakat
author_sort Abousoufiane Ouis
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Friction stir welding (FSW) of thick extruded AA6082-T6 aluminum alloy plates presents challenges in maintaining optimal mechanical and corrosion properties. This study investigated the effects of incorporating Al₂O₃ interlayer reinforcements on the microstructural, tribological, and corrosion behaviors of FSW joints. AA6082-T6 plates were friction stir welded with Al₂O₃ interlayer strips at various levels of 0, 4, 8, and 12 vol%. The resulting joints were characterized using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hardness testing, potentiodynamic polarization, and pin-on-disk wear tests. The Al₂O₃ reinforcement led to grain refinement, increased dislocation density, and enhanced microstrain in the weld zone. The relative density decreased with an increase in the Al₂O₃ content. The Vickers hardness improved systematically across all thicknesses of the reinforced joints, with the highest values observed in the 12 vol% Al₂O₃ specimen. The corrosion resistance of the reinforced joints improved significantly, approaching that of the base material. The wear resistance was enhanced in the reinforced joints with 8 vol% Al₂O₃ specimen consistently showing the highest enhancement ratios under various load conditions. The incorporation of Al₂O₃ interlayer reinforcements effectively mitigated the negative effects of FSW on AA6082-T6 joints, enhancing their microstructural, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties. Optimal performance was achieved with 8 vol% Al₂O₃ reinforcement, balancing improvements in hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion behavior.
format Article
id doaj-art-ff1bcfac57b34afe9e8221d0f3197eae
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-ff1bcfac57b34afe9e8221d0f3197eae2025-08-20T04:01:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115112010.1038/s41598-025-03977-7Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 jointsAbousoufiane Ouis0Mohamed I. A. Habba1Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed2Waheed S. Barakat3Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz UniversityMechanical Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Suez UniversityMechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering at Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz UniversityMechanical Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Suez UniversityAbstract Friction stir welding (FSW) of thick extruded AA6082-T6 aluminum alloy plates presents challenges in maintaining optimal mechanical and corrosion properties. This study investigated the effects of incorporating Al₂O₃ interlayer reinforcements on the microstructural, tribological, and corrosion behaviors of FSW joints. AA6082-T6 plates were friction stir welded with Al₂O₃ interlayer strips at various levels of 0, 4, 8, and 12 vol%. The resulting joints were characterized using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hardness testing, potentiodynamic polarization, and pin-on-disk wear tests. The Al₂O₃ reinforcement led to grain refinement, increased dislocation density, and enhanced microstrain in the weld zone. The relative density decreased with an increase in the Al₂O₃ content. The Vickers hardness improved systematically across all thicknesses of the reinforced joints, with the highest values observed in the 12 vol% Al₂O₃ specimen. The corrosion resistance of the reinforced joints improved significantly, approaching that of the base material. The wear resistance was enhanced in the reinforced joints with 8 vol% Al₂O₃ specimen consistently showing the highest enhancement ratios under various load conditions. The incorporation of Al₂O₃ interlayer reinforcements effectively mitigated the negative effects of FSW on AA6082-T6 joints, enhancing their microstructural, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties. Optimal performance was achieved with 8 vol% Al₂O₃ reinforcement, balancing improvements in hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion behavior.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03977-7Friction stir weldingTribologyCorrosionAA6082Alumina reinforcementMetal matrix composites
spellingShingle Abousoufiane Ouis
Mohamed I. A. Habba
Mohamed M. Z. Ahmed
Waheed S. Barakat
Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
Scientific Reports
Friction stir welding
Tribology
Corrosion
AA6082
Alumina reinforcement
Metal matrix composites
title Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
title_full Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
title_fullStr Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
title_full_unstemmed Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
title_short Tribological and corrosion behavior of Al2O3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded AA6082-T6 joints
title_sort tribological and corrosion behavior of al2o3 interlayer reinforced friction stir welded aa6082 t6 joints
topic Friction stir welding
Tribology
Corrosion
AA6082
Alumina reinforcement
Metal matrix composites
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03977-7
work_keys_str_mv AT abousoufianeouis tribologicalandcorrosionbehaviorofal2o3interlayerreinforcedfrictionstirweldedaa6082t6joints
AT mohamediahabba tribologicalandcorrosionbehaviorofal2o3interlayerreinforcedfrictionstirweldedaa6082t6joints
AT mohamedmzahmed tribologicalandcorrosionbehaviorofal2o3interlayerreinforcedfrictionstirweldedaa6082t6joints
AT waheedsbarakat tribologicalandcorrosionbehaviorofal2o3interlayerreinforcedfrictionstirweldedaa6082t6joints