Impact of intermetallic phases on the localised pitting corrosion and high-temperature tensile strength of Al–Si Mg Cu Ni alloys

The influence of Ni-rich intermetallic particles (IMPs) on the microstructure, high-temperature mechanical properties, and corrosion behaviour of Al–Si–Mg–Cu–Ni alloys was investigated. The presence of coarse block-like γ-Al7Cu4Ni and thin needle-like δ-Al3NiCu IMPs contributed to low-temperature alloy strengthening during tensile tests. However, void nucleation and coalescence within the IMPs facilitated ductile fracture and alloy rupture, resulting in a lower tensile strength at high temperatures. Although both IMP phases had a cathodic electrochemical nature, resulting in strong galvanic corrosion, the γ-Al7Cu4Ni phase acted as the primary cathode, amplifying localised pitting while reducing the overall alloy corrosion resistance.