Corrosion resistance of AA2219 aluminium alloy : electrochemical polarisation and impedance study

AbstractThe addition of copper increases the strength of aluminium, but decreases the localised corrosion resistance of the metal to seawater as the copper containing intermetallics exhibit different electrochemical properties from the matrix. The main requirement of corrosion resistance could be met through the surface modification by removing the copper rich phase. The present work involves investigations of the influence of prior copper removal treatment on the pitting and general corrosion resistance of AA2219 alloy containing a high copper content in different initial thermal tempers. Significant improvement in the pitting and general corrosion resistance after surface copper removal treatment was evident from the results of electrochemical polarisation and the impedance tests. Attempts were also was made to modify the surface further, with a conversion layer of cerium as an alternative to the chromate coating.