Recent progress in corrosion protection of friction stir welded high-strength aluminum alloy joints

Friction stir welding (FSW) has been widely used in many industries, with which high-strength aluminum alloys can be well joined. However, the corrosion resistance of FSW high-strength Al alloy joints is relatively poor, which limits their industrial applications. The joints shall be protected against corrosion. In this review, therefore, the current status and development of corrosion protection for FSW high-strength Al alloy joints are presented. Particular emphasis has been given to different protection methods: lowering heat input, post-weld heat treatment, surface modification and spray coatings. Finally, opportunities are identified for further research and development in corrosion protection of FSW high-strength Al alloy joints.