Localised corrosion of intermetallic particles on aluminium AA2099-T8

Abstract

Specimens of AA2099-T8 were immersed for different times ranging from 2 to 180 min in 0.1M NaCl. The development of corrosion around intermetallic particles was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS). The degradation evolution of each major intermetallic particle after exposure of the alloy to electrolyte allowed to determine which particle corroded during the first stages of immersion. The corrosion of lithium-containing particles was also investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The earliest stages of attack started with localised corrosion of Al2CuMg (S-phase) particles resulting in dealloying which was followed by trenching around these particles. After 10 min, trenching was observed around Al7Cu2Fe(Mn) particles and then progressed to AlCuFeMnSi particles after 90 min.