Morphological characterization of AA5083‐H321 aluminum alloy corrosion in NaCl solution under hydrodynamic conditions

Purpose The paper aims to focus on the recognition of corrosion product morphologies of AA5083‐H321 corroding aluminum‐magnesium alloys used in the manufacture of aluminum high speed boats and submarines during flow induced corrosion in seawater. Design/methodology/approach All experiments were conducted in a 3.5 percent NaCl solution as the simulated marine environment. Hydrodynamic conditions were created by an rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) system. Morphological characterization of the surface was undertaken using SEM and EDAX techniques. Cyclic polarization tests were used to determine the electrochemical behavior of the alloy. Findings The results obtained reveal that the pit density on the sample surface increased with increasing the rotation speed. The enhanced flow condition also enhanced the tendency for intermetallic particles, including submicron size Al(Mg,Mn) inclusions, to promote pitting corrosion of the alloy. An interesting result was that crystallographic pitting occurred at rotation speeds greater than 5 m/s. Practical implications In the selection of corrosion control methods for high speed aluminum‐hulled boats, control of erosion corrosion was determined to be more important than any other form of corrosion. Originality/value Provides information about the contribution of mechanical and electrochemical corrosion phenomena in corrosion of high speed aluminum boats under hydrodynamic conditions. Characterization of new intermetallic particles in aluminum‐magnesium alloys that can promote pitting during flow induced corrosion in marine environments. Provides new information about the origin of crystallographic pitting attack on aluminum.