Influence of Li Additions on the Microstructure and Corrosion Response of 2XXX Series Aluminium Alloys

Abstract

This paper discusses two Al-Cu alloys for aerospace applications, one of which has an addition of between 1.6 and 2.0 wt.% of Li. The alloys are AA2024-T3 (Al-Cu) and AA2099-T8E77 (Al-Cu-Li). Microstructural analysis via Field Emission Gun Transmission Electron Microscope (FEGTEM) and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope (FEGSEM) utilising Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron Backscatter Detector (EBSD) techniques have been used to characterise the two microstructures and phases contained within them. Anodic polarisation and immersion testing in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution have been carried out and a comparison of the corrosion mechanisms has been made. AA2024-T3 had a fine, equiaxed grain structure, whereas AA2099-T8E77 had a substantial amount of recrystallized grains. Finer grains were also observed on AA2099-T8E77, however, the vast majority were larger than the maximum detection limit of the EBSD technique. Intergranular and pitting corrosion were observed on both alloys following immersion testing, however, the intergranular corrosion (IGC) was more prominent on AA2099-T8E77. Anodic polarisation indicated that AA2024-T3 was more noble, highlighting that the Li-containing AA2099-T8E77 alloy was more susceptible to corrosion. The T1 (Al2CuLi) phase within AA2099-T8E77 was seen to be highly active following immersion and anodic polarisation tests. The corrosion pits on AA2099-T8E77 were seen to propagate to a depth of ~ 80 to 100 μm, with a maximum of 126 μm recorded. For AA2024-T3 the maximum depth recorded was 77 μm and the average depth was between 60 and 70 μm.