Galvanic corrosion of bare and coated Al alloys coupled to stainless steel 304 or Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract

The galvanic corrosion behavior of Al alloys 7075, 6061, 2024, bare or coated with the chemical conversion coating Alodine 600, coupled to stainless steel 304 or Ti-6Al-4V and immersed in aerated 3·5%NaCl solution, has been studied by continuous measurements of the galvanic current using a zero impedance ammeter and by weight loss measurements. Comparison of weight loss measurements for bare and coated uncoupled Al alloys shows that good corrosion protection is provided by the conversion coating. Data from weight loss and galvanic current measurements show that corrosion protection is also provided when coated Al alloys are coupled to stainless steel 304 or Ti-6Al-4V. Examination of potentiostatic polarization curves for the metals studied in 3·5%NaCl solution explains the protective action of the coating and also the higher dissolution rates of Al alloys coupled to stainless steel 304 instead of Ti-6Al-4V. Differences between dissolution rates calculated from galvanic current data and weight loss data are explained by theoretical considerations published recently by the authors taking into account the shapes of the individual polarization curves of the metals in the couple. After correction of galvanic current data, agreement between dissolution rates obtained by weight loss and galvanic current data is satisfactory. Continuous recording of the galvanic current reveals considerably more information than weight loss data.