In-situ Measurement of Corrosion Kinetics of Aluminium Alloy 6063 under Chloride Bearing Droplet Deposits

The goal of this paper is to advance our understanding of the corrosion of aluminium in marine enviroments where it is exposed to seawater and a combination of steel corrosion products. Pit nucleation, corrosion product development, and corrosion rate measurements were obtained using in-situ measurements and analyses carried out by X-ray computed tomography. Atmospheric corrosion tests under chloride bearing droplet deposits at 33% and 93% relative humidity were carried out. The use of x-ray tomography allows the evaluation of the pits and corrosion products in a non destructive manner.The surface was analysed post mortom using laser confocal microscopy. The formation of corrosion products resulting in the possible protection of aluminium from further corrosion was probed by exposing the samples to FeCl3 and seawater. The effect of seawater and sea-water contaminated with FeCl3 on the rate of corrosion product formation and its effect on the structural integrity of AA6063 is discussed.