Galvanic Corrosion of AA5083/Fe in Diluted Synthetic Seawater: Effect of Anodizing on Local Electrochemistry on and around Al₆(Fe,Mn) on Al-Matrix

In 100-times diluted synthetic seawater at 298 K (pH 8.2), the effect of anodizing on the galvanic corrosion resistance of AA5083 coupled to pure Fe, Type 430, or 304 stainless steel was investigated by measuring the galvanic current densities and electrode potentials. Anodizing in H2SO4 effectively suppressed the galvanic corrosion of AA5083. It was shown that an increase in pitting potential by anodizing alone could not determine whether galvanic corrosion would occur or not. The cathodic activity on Al6(Fe, Mn), which causes alkalization on and around Al6(Fe, Mn) particles, decreased as the anodizing time and voltage increased. And, the anodic oxide film on the Al-matrix in alkaline environments became stable as the thickness of the oxide film increased. A comparison of these two factors revealed that the dissolution resistance of surface oxide film on Al-matrix contributed the galvanic corrosion prevention of anodized AA5083 coupled to pure Fe. In the case of AA5083 anodized at 16 V for 180 s, no galvanic corrosion damage was observed on the AA5083 coupled to Type 430 or 304.