Application of Microelectrochemical Methods for Understanding Localized Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

Nearly all forms of localized corrosion in high strength aluminum alloys are affected by the heterogeneous microstructures these alloys posses. Alloying and thermomechanical processing result in the formation of constituent, precipitate and dispersoid particles. These particles are always enriched in one or more alloying elements causing their electrochemical behavior to differ from the surrounding matrix phase. Experimental approaches based on microelectrochemical methods have enabled characterization of alloy electrochemistry on a phase-by-phase basis, and the results derived have contributed to a better understanding of localized corrosion and corrosion inhibition. These results have also led to the development of frameworks for modeling localized corrosion damage accumulation. In this presentation, the use microelectrochemical approaches in aluminum alloys will be described and examples will be used to illustrate how the results can be used to characterize and model localized corrosion damage accumulation.