Intergranular corrosion susceptibility of Al-Cu-Li alloys

Abstract

In the present study, the intergranular corrosion (IGC) susceptibility of commercial Al-Cu-Li alloys of the third generation (AA2098-T351, AA2198-T3 and AA2198-T851) was compared with that of the AA2024-T3 alloy according to ASTM G110 test. In addition, anodic and cathodic polarization curves were carried out in the ASTM G110 test solution at room temperature. The cross-section of the samples after the ASTM G110 test was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the extension of the corrosion attack. The susceptibility to intergranular attack of the tested alloys was ranked according to the attack by IGC and from the anodic and cathodic polarization curves. The results showed that the AA2024-T3 and the AA2198-T3 alloys presented higher susceptibility to intergranular corrosion comparatively to the other alloys tested (AA2098-T351 and AA2198-T851). The AA2098-T351 alloy was associated to the highest resistance to intergranular attack among the alloys evaluated. A correlation was seemingly established between the stress relief treatment of the alloy and its corresponding susceptibility to intergranular or intragranular corrosion.