Corrosion Behavior of Selective Laser Melted AlSi10Mg Alloy in NaCl Solution and Its Dependence on Heat Treatment

Abstract

This work investigates the corrosion behavior of AlSi10Mg alloy produced by selective laser melting (SLM) and the counterparts heat-treated at 450–550 °C in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. Electrochemical measurements and weight loss tests together with microstructural characterizations were conducted. The SLM-produced alloy displays a microstructure with a continuous network of Si particles, exhibiting superior corrosion behavior. After heat treatment, the Si particles are coarsened and isolated and Al matrix dissolves into their surrounding area, thereby degrading the corrosion resistance properties. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of AlSi10Mg alloy degrades with increasing the heat treatment temperature.