Effects of coolant chemistry on corrosion of 3003 aluminum alloy in automotive cooling system

In this work, effects of coolant chemistry, including concentrations of chloride ions and ethylene glycol and addition of various ions, on corrosion of 3003 Al alloy were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy characterization. In chloride‐free, ethylene glycol–water solution, a layer of Al‐alcohol film is proposed to form on the electrode surface. With the increase of ethylene glycol concentration, more Al‐alcohol film is formed, resulting in the increase in film resistance and charge‐transfer resistance. In the presence of Cl^? ions, they would be involved in the film formation, decreasing the stability of the film. In 50% ethylene glycol–water solution, the threshold value of Cl^? concentration for pitting initiation is within the range of 100 ppm to 0.01 M. When the ethylene glycol concentration increases to 70%, the threshold Cl^? concentration for pitting is from 0.01 to 0.1 M. In 100% ethylene glycol, there is no pitting of 3003 Al alloy even at 0.1 M of Cl^?. Even a trace amount of impurity cation could affect significantly the corrosion behavior of 3003 Al alloy in ethylene glycol–water solution. Addition of Zn²⁺ is capable of increasing the corrosion resistance of Al alloy electrode, while Cu²⁺ ions containing in the solution would enhance corrosion, especially pitting corrosion, of Al alloy. The effect of Mg²⁺ on Al alloy corrosion is only slight.