Effects of Elastic and Plastic Deformations on Corrosion of an Aluminum Bronze Alloy in NaCl Solution

In this work, the effects of elastic and plastic deformations on corrosion of an aluminum bronze alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution were investigated by mechanical testing, electrochemical measurements, and mechanoelectrochemical numerical analysis. Results demonstrate that the effect of stress/strain on corrosion of the alloy depends on the type of the induced elastic or plastic deformation. Elastic deformation resulting from application of elastic stresses would not affect (increase) appreciably the corrosion activity of the alloy. However, plastic deformation resulting from application of plastic pre-strain enhances the corrosion activity of the alloy significantly. Thus, the mechanoelectrochemical effect on the alloy corrosion is negligible under elastic deformation, but it is great at the plastic deformation stage.