Surface alloyed layer based on aluminum nitride (AlN) has been produced on wrought
aluminum 5052 using tungsten inert gas technique. Process control parameters such as heat
input have been studied. The structural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates that the
crystalline AlN phase was formed by surface melting in nitrogen atmosphere. Studies of XRD,
optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on alloyed
layer. The alloyed layer on the sample surface prevented oxygen from penetrating into matrix,
suggesting the enhancement of oxidation resistance and improvement of corrosion behavior of
Al-5052 by formation of alloyed layer (AlN).
Keywords: Tungsten inert gas; Oxidation resistance; Aluminum nitride; Wrought aluminum
5052