Anticorrosive Solution of 6201 Aluminum Alloy used in STEG Company's Overhead Transmission Lines

Abstract

Nowadays, aluminum alloys are widely used as conductor in power electrical transmission lines mainly due to their good physicochemical and mechanical properties as well as their financial profitability. Nonetheless, aluminium alloys conductors, which normally fulfil standard requirements, can fail under severe service conditions in relationship with environmental factors such as humidity, industrial pollution or marine salts present in the atmosphere. In this case, an anticorrosive solution must be considered for an optimal use.This study reports the result of electrochemical polarization and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the corrosion inhibition of AA 6201 aluminum alloys exploited in High Electric conductors, using zincating deposition as inhibition.The electrochemical measurements of aluminum alloys after Zn coating of aluminum and varied immersion in 0.5M NaCl and in 0.5M NaCl + 0.1M Na2SO4 give a significant decrease in the corrosion current densities (icorr.), and an increase in corrosion potential (Ecorr). The thin film on the specimens has been proven by morphology study using SEM.