effect of age hardening heat treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of a286 fe-based superalloy

This study explores the interplay between age hardening and corrosion resistance in a286 superalloy. comparative analyses of solution-annealed (saed) and solution-annealed/age-hardened (saed/aged) samples reveal that age hardening significantly enhances mechanical properties through the formation of ni₃(al,ti) precipitates, elevating yield strength and hardness. however, this improvement comes at the cost of increased corrosion susceptibility, as demonstrated by lower open circuit potential (ocp) values and higher corrosion current densities in saed/aged samples. this study emphasizes the importance of selecting the right heat treatment strategy based on the alloy s intended application, particularly when corrosion performance is a priority.