Corrosion phenomenon and its analysis of 6063 aluminum alloy in ethyl alcohol

Abstract

It was found that aluminum alkoxide reaction of aluminum alloy 6063 occurs in ethyl alcohol containing aluminum chloride. The reaction is explained by the superimposition of A1/A1 3+ reaction as the anodic reaction and ethanol/ethylate reaction as the cathodic reaction. In an environment containing chloride ions, an A1/A1C1 3 reaction participates in anodic reaction above and then becomes dominant anodic reaction. Rate of aluminum dissolution by the AVA1C1 3 anodic reaction in ethyl alcohol is accelerated due to the fast system which has low polarization resistance. It is shown that aluminum alkoxide (aluminumtriethoxide) as corrosion product will produce hydrogen peroxide on the way of chain process of productions of ethyl chloride, diethyether and ethylether peroxide. It is also pointed out that the hydrogen peroxide will play a strong cathodic role in further pitting corrosion process.