Corrosion Inhibition of Sensitized and Solutionized AA5083

Abstract

Al-Mg alloys can precipitate β phase, Mg2Al3, along grain boundaries during long-term exposure to moderate temperatures, resulting in susceptibility to intergranular corrosion. It is of interest to investigate the corrosion inhibition of this alloy in this sensitized condition. Furthermore, recent work has shown that the presence of an altered surface layer (ASL) affects the corrosion behavior of polished AA5083, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors. The combined effects of the presence of the ASL and inhibitors are not well understood. In this work, the effects of adding potassium chromate (K2CrO4), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), and sodium vanadate (NaVO3) to NaCl solution were examined using electrochemical methods on sensitized and solutionized AA5083 with and without the ASL present on the surface. The ASL alone may protect the alloy depending on whether or not the alloy was sensitized. All of the tested inhibitors exhibited a suppression of the cathodic reaction, with chromate causing mixed inhibition on sensitized AA5083 without the ASL present. The composition and surface morphology of samples exposed to inhibitors were also investigated.