Influence of Cl-, Br-, NO-3 and SO2-4 ions on the corrosion behaviour of 6061 Al alloy

The effects of anions like Cl-, Br-, NO3- and 4 on the anodic dissolution of the monolithic Al 6061 alloy have been investigated at neutral pH through immersion testing and electrochemical techniques like potentiodynamic polarization and a.c. impedance spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to characterize the corroded surface and to observe the extent of pitting in different media. From the evaluated corrosion parameters it was found that the dissolution of the matrix was extensively reduced in presence of aqueous solutions containing Br-, NO3- and SO4- ions while Cl- ions aggravated corrosion by penetrating into the barrier oxide film on the surface of the material. Pronounced effect of pitting was observed in presence of Cl- and the level of pitting in NO3- and Br- were mild. In presence of SO42- ions passivity was extended over a wide potential range and breakdown of passivity occurs when the material was polarized beyond pitting potential. The departure of capacitive behaviour towards resistive behaviour was clearly observed through impedance measurements when investigations were conducted in Cl- media and in presence of the other electrolytes. Corrosion rates were, however, controlled during prolonged exposure in the electrolytic media, specially in case of chloride media, due to the predominance of film repair kinetics.