Corrosion of Al–Sn–Bi alloys in alcohol at high temperatures. Part I: Effects of the metallurgical structure of the alloys and the metal salt additions to alcohol

Abstract

Corrosion of free machining Al alloys that contain Sn and Bi was investigated at 391–415 K in 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol (MEEE) and 2-(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol (BEEE) with/without SnCl 2, Sn(OC 2H 5) 4, FeCl 3, and CuCl 2. The Al–Sn–Bi alloy displayed severe pitting corrosion in MEEE similar to the Al–Sn alloy in BEEE at 415 K, and Sn and Sn/Bi were enriched on the surface of pits. Immersion tests of pure Al in MEEE containing Sn/Cu-salts at 415 K also showed severe corrosion and the deposition of metallic Sn and Cu on the surface. The corrosion mechanisms are discussed in terms of the electro-catalytic activity of the Sn enriched on the surface.