Effect of bending deformation on the corrosion behavior of non-brazed and brazed Al composite.

• The effect of bending deformation on the corrosion behavior is discussed from the microstructure evolution and stress distribution. • Bending deformation causes stress concentration on both sides of the cross-sectional samples. • Discontinuous Si particles in non-brazed samples are unfavorable to the development of intergranular corrosion. • Si "needles" in brazed samples provide effective propagation path for intergranular corrosion. This study provides an insight into the effect of bending deformation on the corrosion behavior of non-brazed and brazed AA4343/AA4047/AA3003/AA4047/AA4343 composite sheet from the rolling direction (RD) and the transverse direction (TD) cross sections, by combining electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques. Grain size had a greater effect on the corrosion resistance, as compared with the textures. Localized corrosion initiated from intermetallic particles (IMPs) for both non-brazed and brazed samples whether bending or not. After bending deformation, stress concentrations at the outer layer were found in non-brazed and brazed samples. For non-brazed samples, bending deformation had little effect on the corrosion behavior due to the absence of intergranular corrosion (IGC). For brazed samples, Si "needles" provided effective corrosion propagation path, leading to a reduction of corrosion resistance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]