Influence of Malonic Acid on the Corrosion and SCC Behaviour of Anodic Coated 1050 Al-Alloys

Aim of the present work is the study of corrosion and stress corrosion cracking behaviour of 1050 Al-Alloy anodised in a 3M H2SO4 anodising bath with the presence in it of malonic acid, in various concentrations and anodising current densities. The investigation was carried out by SCC (Stress Corrosion Cracking) tests and electrochemical measurements. The influence of applied potential on SCC behaviour was also examined. The corrosion and SCC behaviour of anodised 1050 Al-Alloy was found to vary with malonic acid concentration, anodising conditions, applied potential and stress level. In SCC conditions all prepared coatings protected the bare alloy, with better protective properties in the case of 0.015M concentration of malonic acid prepared with a 6 A.dm-2 anodising current density. The coating prepared in these conditions had better mechanical properties as indicated from the increased protection at a high stress level and also the better behaviour in corrosion, without stress, conditions of coatings prepared in different conditions of malonic acid concentration and anodising current density. For the interpretation of the results, properties of the anodic coatings as thickness, packing density, coating ratio, roughness, were also studied. The anodic coating formed in a electrolytic bath of 0.015M concentration of malonic acid and a 6 A.dm-2 anodising current density was found to be less porous, more compact and rough, with better oxide structure. Prepared coatings were found to increase protective properties in an area of applied potentials slightly more anodic than the free corrosion potential values.