A Study of Al-Zn-Sn Alloy Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection Requirements for Structure Used In Seawater

Abstract

The corrosion of aluminium (Al) alloys in seawater was investigated using potentiodynamic technique, complemented by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDAX and XRD. SEM was used out to characterize the corroded surface and to observe the extent of corrosion attack on the Al alloys tested in seawater. EDAX analysis was used to identify elements present on the specimen surface. Where else XRD was to identify phase appearance. The results indicate that zinc (Zn), stanum (Sn) and copper (Cu) as alloying elements enhance corrosion behaviour of the aluminium in seawater by shifting the potential to a more negative value. In the presence of those elements, the Al alloys becomes more active, having potential of more than -1.0 V SCE and showed active corrosion behaviour.