Polarization Studies of Aluminum Alloys In Water at 200 C and 300 C

Abstract

Abstract Specimens of commercial 2S aluminum and two special alloys containing iron and nickel were polarized anodically and cathodically at a number of different current densities at 200 C and 300 C. Weight gains were obtained and the potentials relative to the stainless steel autoclave were measured by an interrupter method. The weight gain data indicated that the polarizing current is being carried by electronic conduction. The potential-time curves for anodic polarization indicate differences between 2S aluminum and the alloys in that greater polarization is obtained with the latter. These curves also indicate that the impressed current decreases the film resistance. In all cases the potential reached a plateau value with time and this time was shorter for the alloys. The potential-time curves for cathodic polarization also show plateau values but the rise to a plateau value is in the opposite sense to the applied current. With increasing cathodic polarization the plateau values occur at more negative values of the potential. This latter trend is in the same direction as the applied polarizing current. This apparently is explained in terms of the build-up of the aluminum oxidation potential which acts in a sense opposite to the applied current. Again the time to reach plateau values was shorter for the alloys. Voltage current curves were also obtained on specimens left overnight (approximately 17 hours) at two different anodic polarizing currents. These curves indicated differences between 2S aluminum and the alloys; these differences are discussed in terms of the semi-conducting properties of the oxide film. The observations made on the differences in the properties of the oxide films on the materials examined as revealed by potential and polarization curves are discussed as to their significance in determining corrosion resistance.