skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Effects of salt deposition and temperature on polarization resistance of steel and the galvanic current of steel-aluminum couples during exposure to cyclic humidity

Journal Article · · Corrosion
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3284004· OSTI ID:349894
 [1]
  1. Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (United States). Ford Research Lab.

Use of aluminum alloys for automotive applications is growing steadily. However, galvanic corrosion is a major concern with those alloys. Because of the predominate use of steels in the automotive industry, the majority of accelerated test procedures commonly accepted by industry are designed for cosmetic corrosion and perforation of steels. Adopting such tests for galvanic corrosion of aluminum alloys without a fundamental understanding of the process may produce misleading results. Electrochemical studies were conducted to examine the acceleration effects of several parameters on different types of corrosion. Galvanic corrosion of Al 6111 (UNS A96111) and cold-rolled steel (Al/CRS) couples and general corrosion of CRS substrates were studied. Test results showed increases in sodium chloride deposition and temperature decreased polarization resistance of steel and increased the galvanic corrosion current of the Al/CRS couples.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
349894
Journal Information:
Corrosion, Vol. 55, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English