Systematic literature review: Impacts of vibration-assisted welding and step aging on corrosion and fatigue in AA5083–AA6061 joints
Keywords:
Vibration-assisted welding, Step aging, Dissimilar aluminium, Fatigue performance, Corrosion resistanceAbstract
The use of dissimilar aluminium alloys, particularly AA5083 and AA6061, has continued to increase in the maritime and automotive industries due to their combination of high strength and good corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, challenges persist due to microstructural heterogeneity and high residual stresses following welding. Various approaches have been developed to improve joint performance, including the application of vibration during welding (vibration-assisted welding) and step aging heat treatment. Although each technique has been shown to be effective in improving microstructural and mechanical properties, systematic reviews that integrate both methods and evaluate their influence on corrosion and fatigue resistance remain limited. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) based on the PRISMA method, focusing on publications from 2015 to 2025 indexed in Scopus Q1–Q3 journals. A total of 52 articles met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 28 experimental studies on vibration-assisted welding of aluminium, 19 studies on step aging, and 5 articles that partially addressed both phenomena. The findings indicate that vibration-assisted welding can refine grain structures and reduce defects, while step aging optimizes precipitate distribution and enhances corrosion resistance. However, research that combines both processes, particularly for dissimilar AA5083–AA6061 joints, remains scarce. Further studies are needed to investigate the correlation between vibration parameters, post-aging precipitate morphology, and corrosion–fatigue resistance to support applications in lightweight and marine industries.
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