Influence of Surface Condition on the Corrosion of Aluminium Brass

Abstract

The corrosion behaviour of aluminium brass, with four different surface treatments (highly and lightly oxidised, pickled and sandblasted), was studied in natural sea water, both stagnant (aerated) and flowing.

Electrochemical measurements and weight loss determinations showed that the oxide film produced during industrial annealing had little effect on the corrosion rate as compared with a pickled surface, in both stagnant and flowing conditions. Sandblasted surfaces were inferior.

Measurements of currents flowing in galvanic couples formed between oxidised and stripped metal were small and decreased with time, but the oxidised surfaces appeared to be slightly more vulnerable than the pickled ones to localised corrosion. Some further work is needed here.