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Specially prepared 6xxx series aluminium alloys (Al–Mg–Si) with different Mg/Si ratios and Cu contents were investigated in the naturally aged, under-aged, peak-aged and over-aged conditions. Potentiodynamic polarisation and immersion testing in 0.1 M NaCl were used to investigate the corrosion behaviour of such alloys in a general sense. Results reveal a significant dependence of the corrosion rate and morphology on the ageing conditions and solute content. Whilst contributing to broader understanding of 6xxx alloy corrosion, we note that corrosion rate is lowest in the naturally aged condition and is principally influenced by Cu and subsequently by the Mg/Si ratio.

Using Schiff base as a phase transfer catalyst, ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate was synthesized by reacting ethyl chloroformate with sodium thiocyanate. In order to get the best synthetic technology, an orthogonal test (L 9(34)) was applied. The results show that reaction temperature, reaction time, content of catalyst and molar ratio of sodium thiocyanate to ethyl chloroformate are the main factors influencing the yield. The four factors chosen for the present investigation are based on the results of a single-factor test. The optimum synthetic technology is determined as follows: reaction temperature 35 °C, reaction time 3 h, the content of catalyst (molar fraction based on ethyl chloroformate) 1.5% and molar ratio of sodium thiocyanate to ethyl chloroformate 1.1. Under the optimized synthetic technology, the experimental yield reaches 96.8%.

Five kinds of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr based alloys with different Sc additions were prepared by ingot metallurgy. The effects of minor Sc on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr based alloys were investigated using tensile tests, optical microscopy (OM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength are improved by 94 and 110 MPa, respectively, and the elongation to failure remains at a reasonable extent (11.1%) in the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr based alloy with 0.21 wt.% Sc addition after solution heat treatment at 475°C for 40 min and then aged at 120°C for 24 h. The addition of minor Sc induces the formation of Al3(Sc,Zr) particles, which are highly effective in refining the cast microstructures, retarding recrystallization, and pinning dislocations. The increment of strength is attributed mainly to fine grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening of Al3(Sc,Zr) particles, and substructure strengthening.

We melted five types of Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Zr alloys and added 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 (wt.%) of scandium. Its influence on the microstructure of alloys and their mechanical properties is studied with the help of optical transmission and scanning electron microscopes. An insignificant amount of scandium promoted the formation of Al3 (Sc, Zr) particles. These particles efficiently clean the microstructure, decelerate and preserve recrystallization, and fix dislocations and substructures. The strength of the alloys increases for high levels of plasticity. It is shown that the optimal properties of the alloys with 0.21% Sc are attained after holding in a solution for 40 min at 475°C and aging for 24 h at 120°C. The strength of the alloys increases mainly as a result of dispersion solidification and microstructural hardening with Al3 (Sc, Zr) particles.