Electrochemical investigation of corrosion and repassivation of structural aluminum alloys under permanent load in bending

This work reports an electrochemical investigation of corrosion and repassivation in NaCl solutions of structural Al 7075-T6 and Al 2024-T3 as a function of permanent load in bending by means of single-cycle anodic polarization. Experimental variables other than the load level were the extent of corrosion, chloride ion concentration and initial pH of the test solution, in addition to the pre-exposure in the aggressive environment and of the viscosity of the test solution for Al 7075-T6. The susceptibility to local stress during corrosion and repassivation depends on the alloy microstructure and corrosion mechanisms. In the case of Al 2024-T3, the mechanical activation is driven by cathodically controlled dissolution of this alloy at open circuit in concentrated NaCl, being indicative of a chemomechanical effect. Conversely, for Al 7075-T6, the effect of applied load is better discerned from the repassivation response. Film rupture/formation sequence and related interfacial (electro)chemical processes determine the stress-enhanced metastable repassivation of this alloy.