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Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum-Copper Alloys with Different Grain Structures

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Abstract

Electrochemical studies and microstructure analysis of directionally solidified hypoeutectic and eutectic aluminum-copper alloys were performed. Optical and scanning electron microscopy studies of corroded specimens with columnar and equiaxed microstructures in 0.1 M, 0.5 M, and 1 M NaCl solutions were conducted. Low-rate potential scanning and alternating current (AC) electrode impedance measurements were conducted to study the corrosion resistance of four aluminum-copper alloys. The concentration of Cu in the alloys proved to be a key factor in the corrosion resistance of the Al-Cu alloys, which controlled the fraction of α and θ phases and the morphological distribution of these phases. The addition of Cu provides cathodic sites that increase adjacent anodic activity and higher corrosion susceptibility of the Al-Cu alloys, as compared with pure Al. Arise in the Cu amount that is linked to an increased concentration of the Al2Cu intermetallic or theta phase results in a higher susceptibility to corrosion for the studied alloys. A microstructural morphology related to a decreased area of contact between the α-phase and the Al2Cu intermetallic phase enhances the corrosion resistance of the Al-Cu alloys. For the Al-1wt.%Cu alloy increasing the content of Cl− produces a beneficial result related to a more resistive passive film. For the rest of the studied alloys with nobler corrosion potentials, the increase in Cl− results in a decrease in their corrosion resistance.

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Acknowledgments

Support by National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) and National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion of Argentina (ANPCyT) under PICT-2017-0079 grant are duly acknowledged. A. S. Román thanks CONICET for the scholarship awarded to carry out this work. C.A. Gervasi duly acknowledges the Buenos Aires Commission for Scientific and Technical Research (CICBA) as a staff member of this Institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Misiones Institute for Materials Research, IMAM (CONICET-UNaM), Félix de Azara 1552, 3300, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina

    Alejandra S. Román, Claudia M. Méndez & Alicia E. Ares

  2. CONICET, Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Alejandra S. Román & Alicia E. Ares

  3. Fac. Cs. Es., Quím. y Nat, Univ. Misiones, Félix de Azara 1552, 3300, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina

    Claudia M. Méndez & Alicia E. Ares

  4. Laboratory for Theoretical and Applied Research in Physicochemical Science (INIFTA), La Plata University – CONICET, Suc. 4 CC 16, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Claudio A. Gervasi

  5. Electrochemistry Division, Engineering College, La Plata University, 1 y 47, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Claudio A. Gervasi

  6. GE Global Research, 1 Research Circle, CEB2551, Schenectady, NY, 12309, USA

    Raúl B. Rebak

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Román, A.S., Méndez, C.M., Gervasi, C.A. et al. Corrosion Resistance of Aluminum-Copper Alloys with Different Grain Structures. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 30, 131–144 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-020-05344-1

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