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In this work, the local electrochemical activity of the zones coupled by Friction Stir Welding (FSW) of an Al-Cu-Li alloy was studied and the results were correlated to the microstructural characteristics of each zone. Electrochemical studies were carried out in the zones affected by welding using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electrochemical techniques (namely, SECM - Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and LEIS - Local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). The results showed that the welding joint (WJ) is predominantly cathodic relatively to the heat affected zones (HAZ). The HAZ was always anodic and showed the highest electrochemical activities among the tested ones. The high electrochemical activity of the HAZ was associated with the effect of galvanic coupling between the cathodic region (WJ) and the anodic region (HAZ). In addition, the advancing side (AS) presented increased electrochemical activity compared to the retreating one (RS).

In this study, the corrosion mechanism of an Al-Cu-Li alloy manufactured by two different treatment routes (T3 and T851) was evaluated by immersion and electrochemical tests in solutions containing chloride ions (Cl-). For both alloys, the formation of cavities on the surface was associated with micrometer-sized intermetallics (IM’s), however, in addition to this attack, the alloy submitted to T851 treatment also presented an attack called severe localized corrosion (SLC), caused by the preferential attack to the nanometric T1 (Al2CuLi) phase. The electrochemical concepts involved in these two types of attacks were discussed. During the IM’s corrosive process, whereas the O2 reduction occurred over the IM’s, the Al dissolution is favored around the particle, forming trenching and cavities (with 2 and 6 μm of depth). On the other hand, the mechanism associated with the SLC is related to the formation of a differential aeration cell followed by the evolution of H2, with greater depth of attack penetration (8 and 35 μm). Additionally, by the use of the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET), it was concluded that the higher anodic currents observed for the T851 temper were related to the relation between the anodic area (Aa) and the cathodic area (Ac).

THE ANODIZING PROCESS OF ALUMINUM AND ITS ALLOYS: A HISTORICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL APPROACH. Al and its alloys are found in several industrial applications. However, like most metals, this material is not immune to corrosion, being necessary to be protected against corrosion. One of the methods most commonly employed to improve the corrosion resistance of Al alloys is the anodizing process, which consists of thickening of the natural oxide (Al2O3) presents in Al through anodic oxidation. The anodizing process is accomplished by immersion of the Al alloy into an acid bath and passing an electric current through it. This process produces two layers: a barrier layer thicker than the natural oxide and a layer with regular arrangement of nanopores (porous layer). This duplex structure forms the anodized layer with a large specific surface area. With the advent of nanotechnology, this layer has been applied in other areas due to its low cost, stability, absence of toxicity, and biocompatibility. In this context, this paper addresses a historical and electrochemical review of the anodizing process of Al and its alloys, presenting the main events that culminated in the development of the current processes and the understanding of the relationship between the chemical reactions and the mechanisms that occur during nucleation and development of the oxide layer.

The corrosion of engine components of the combustion chamber is usually related to the formation of acids such as sulfuric and nitric. These acids are generated by the condensation of combustion gases that usually occur in vehicle exhaust systems. However, with the development of new technologies to reduce emissions, condensation is also being promoted in vehicle combustion chambers. This fact is associated with high exhaust gas recirculation rates, known as EGR (English term for Exhaust Gas Recirculation). Consequently, corrosion problems in the engine components are increasing, especially in cylinder liners alloy manufactured using cast iron. In this study, the corrosion resistance of two cast iron alloys, one with a pearlitic microstructure and the other with a bainite microstructure in a solution simulating the composition of the condensate obtained from the combustion gases. It was found that the microstructure of the cast iron is an important factor affecting the corrosion behavior. The results showed that none of the two materials investigated is resistant to corrosion in the test medium, and the small difference observed between the behavior of the two cast iron was related to its microstructure, which are dependent on their chemical compositions. The cast iron with a pearlitic microstructure showed less formation of corrosion products than the bainitic cast iron. This result is related to the presence of steadite phase, highly stable and resistant to corrosion in pearlitic microstructure. This phase (steadite) anchors the corrosion products formed on the surface and act as a partial barrier slowing the progress of the corrosion process, that was more pronounced in the bainitic cast iron.

Corrosion control of electrogalvanized steel employing Cr VI based treatments is widely known and studied. However, researchers have been trying to find out alternatives to replace these salts once they must be banned in accord to environmental and industrial guidelines. Cr III – based conversion coatings have shown performance compatible to Cr VI – based treatments. In this work, EIS measurements are performed in NaCl 0,05 mol/L and Na2 SO4 0,1 mol/L, during the immersion time, to evaluate the corrosion resistance of electrogalvanized steel passivated with Cr III – based conversion treatment and painted with three different organic coatings. The organic coatings are characterized by their adherence. The results show a similar behavior for the three coatings and, despite a second constant time has been pointed by the EIS fitting, the R2 values indicate a low corrosion rate. The system Zn – Cr III – organic coating is compatible to the system Zn – Cr VI – organic coating, for the immersion period considered.