In this study, the corrosion mechanism of an Al-Cu-Li alloy manufactured by two different treatment routes (T3 and T851) was evaluated by immersion and electrochemical tests in solutions containing chloride ions (Cl-). For both alloys, the formation of cavities on the surface was associated with micrometer-sized intermetallics (IM’s), however, in addition to this attack, the alloy submitted to T851 treatment also presented an attack called severe localized corrosion (SLC), caused by the preferential attack to the nanometric T1 (Al2CuLi) phase. The electrochemical concepts involved in these two types of attacks were discussed. During the IM’s corrosive process, whereas the O2 reduction occurred over the IM’s, the Al dissolution is favored around the particle, forming trenching and cavities (with 2 and 6 μm of depth). On the other hand, the mechanism associated with the SLC is related to the formation of a differential aeration cell followed by the evolution of H2, with greater depth of attack penetration (8 and 35 μm). Additionally, by the use of the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET), it was concluded that the higher anodic currents observed for the T851 temper were related to the relation between the anodic area (Aa) and the cathodic area (Ac).

THE ANODIZING PROCESS OF ALUMINUM AND ITS ALLOYS: A HISTORICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL APPROACH. Al and its alloys are found in several industrial applications. However, like most metals, this material is not immune to corrosion, being necessary to be protected against corrosion. One of the methods most commonly employed to improve the corrosion resistance of Al alloys is the anodizing process, which consists of thickening of the natural oxide (Al2O3) presents in Al through anodic oxidation. The anodizing process is accomplished by immersion of the Al alloy into an acid bath and passing an electric current through it. This process produces two layers: a barrier layer thicker than the natural oxide and a layer with regular arrangement of nanopores (porous layer). This duplex structure forms the anodized layer with a large specific surface area. With the advent of nanotechnology, this layer has been applied in other areas due to its low cost, stability, absence of toxicity, and biocompatibility. In this context, this paper addresses a historical and electrochemical review of the anodizing process of Al and its alloys, presenting the main events that culminated in the development of the current processes and the understanding of the relationship between the chemical reactions and the mechanisms that occur during nucleation and development of the oxide layer.

Corrosion is still one of the most serious and frequent problems in industries. The phenomena involved in the corrosion mechanism of Al-alloys may be explained by formation of galvanic cells between the metal matrix and heterogeneities, such as precipitates, intermetallic phases leading to potential differences and electrochemical reactions. In the cathodic sites, the main reactions are oxygen reduction reaction, in aerated neutral environments, and hydrogen evolution in acid media. This last type of reaction might also occur in neutral solutions inside pits (anodic region). In this study, the mechanism of hydrogen evolution during corrosion of the 2198-T8 Al-Cu-Li alloy exposed in a chloride solution was investigated. The mechanism was related to the presence of T1 phase (Al2CuLi), which is the main strengthening phase in this material. This phase is highly active and, when exposed to corrosive media, leads to severe localized corrosion (SLC). One of the main characteristics related to SLC is hydrogen gas evolution which was confirmed by gel visualization. In this study, the hydrogen evolution mechanism inside the SLC sites was studied by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).

In the present work, the microstructure, electrochemical behavior and localized corrosion of the AA2198-T851 Al-Cu-Li alloy were studied. The microstructure was correlated with corrosion results obtained by immersion, gel visualization and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) tests. Immersion and gel visualization tests showed high kinetics of corrosion attack during the first hours of immersion. SECM analyzes by means of surface generation/tip collection (SG/TC) mode detected hydrogen evolution generated during spontaneous corrosion from severe localized corrosion (SLC) sites on the metal surface. SECM results revealed sites of intense hydrogen evolution after 2 h of immersion and increased amounts of corrosion products after 4 h of immersion. Hydrogen evolution sites detected by SECM were associated with severe localized corrosion (SLC).

In this work, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed to study the corrosion behavior of anodized AZ31B magnesium alloy exposed to simulated body fluid. SECM measurements were carried out in surface generation/tip collection mode. The hydrogen evolution flux caused during corrosion of the magnesium alloy was oxidized at the ultra-microelectrode (UME). Thus, this experimental procedure allowed evaluating the effect of the anodic protection in this alloy from the SECM analysis of Z- approximation curves, cyclic voltammograms and topographic maps. The results evidence differences in the local electrochemical response of magnesium alloy in the anodized and pristine conditions. The main sites of H2 evolution were verified in the magnesium alloy without anodizing at short exposure times.