Influence of impurity elements on electrochemical activity of aluminum activated by indium

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Corrosion (Houston); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3316015· OSTI ID:5651119

Breslin, C B; Friery, L P ^[1]; Carroll, W M ^[2]

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1. St. Patrick's Coll., Maynooth (Ireland). Dept. of Chemistry
2. University Coll., Galway (Ireland). Dept. of Chemistry

The electrochemical behavior of 99.999% aluminum (AL), 99.95% Al, and 99% Al in weak, acidic chloride solutions containing indium (IN) salt was investigated. Activation of Al electrodes in the solution depended primarily on purity of the electrode. In all tests, time intervals between the addition of the In salt solution to the working electrolyte and the onset of activity (induction periods) were shorter for the 99.999% Al electrodes. It was found that activation with this electrode could be maintained indefinitely once initiated. Transient activation was observed only with the 99% Al electrode. However, activation was more effective after various surface pretreatments that effectively removed the surface iron (Fe)-containing phases. Large amounts of In were detected on the surface of immersed 99% Al. This was attributed to the deposition of In from indate solutions formed because of the build-up of alkaline regions adjacent to the Fe precipitates. The deposited In was rendered inactive.

• OSTI ID: 5651119
• Journal Information: Corrosion (Houston); (United States), Vol. 49:11; ISSN 0010-9312
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM
ELECTROCHEMICAL CORROSION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CHEMICAL ACTIVATION
CHLORIDES
ELECTRODES
IMPURITIES
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
IRON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CORROSION
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
MIXTURES
SOLUTIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
400400* - Electrochemistry
360105 - Metals & Alloys- Corrosion & Erosion