Localized corrosion mechanisms of 2024 aluminum alloy. subsequent dissolution.

Moreover, the broadening of

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin Force SKPFM potentials on corroded S-phase particles allowed
Microscopy (KFM) contribution the deposition of copper around them to be shown (Fig. 1
Loïc Lacroixa, Christine Blanca and Laurence Ressierb and 2).
a
Université de Toulouse, CIRIMAT, UPS/CNRS/INPT
118 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse cedex 04, France
b
Université de Toulouse, LPCNO, INSA/CNRS/UPS, 1 µm
135 avenue de Rangueil ; 31077 Toulouse cedex 04,
France

2024 aluminum alloy is often used in aerospace

applications in the structure lightening context. Its
microstructure makes it very susceptible to localized
corrosion (pitting corrosion, exfoliation corrosion and
intergranular corrosion). Among the microstructural
parameters, intermetallic particles (IPs) and mainly S-
phase (Al2CuMg) particles are an important damaging
factor (1). This work was focused on their reactivity. The
local technique contribution, i.e. AFM and KFM, was
demonstrated.
In this work, a multianalytical study was performed on a
50mm thick rolled plate of a 2024-T351 aluminum alloy.
The samples were 4 x 2 x 2 mm parallelepipeds,
embedded in epoxy resin. Before the corrosion tests, they 0. Height 50.0 µm
were mechanically polished using ethanol as a lubricant
and then ultrasonically cleaned in ethanol and air-dried. Figure 1: AFM observation of S-phase particles after
Corrosion tests consisted of immersion at the open-circuit immersion for 90 min in a 0.1 M Na2SO4 + 0.001 M NaCl
potential in a 0.1M Na2SO4 solution with 0.001M NaCl at solution.
room temperature. After immersion, the samples were
ultrasonically cleaned in ethanol and air-dried. AFM and
KFM measurements were performed on the samples using 1V
a Nanoscope IIIa Multimode from Digital Instruments, in
air at room temperature and an ambient relative humidity
of about 40%. KFM mapping was carried out with a lift
height of 50 nm, which was found to be the optimal value
to limit cross-talk with topography and to obtain a lateral
resolution of less than 100 nm (2). KFM measurements
were carried out before and after immersion on several
areas containing only S-phase particles. It allowed
topographical and surface potential maps of the same
zone of the sample surface to be obtained with
submicrometric resolution. The local chemical
composition of the S-phase intermetallics and of the oxide
layer grown on and around the IPs after corrosion tests
was analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy 20µm
(SIMS) using an IMS 4F/6F CAMECA analyzer.
Coupling of KFM measurements with extreme surface
chemical analyses (SIMS) and scanning electron
microscope (SEM)/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy 0. Potential 50.0 µm
(EDS) analyses allowed correlation between KFM
measurements and the corrosion behaviour of AA2024 to
be proven, leading to a better understanding of the Figure 2: KFM observation of S-phase particles (same
electrochemical behavior of S-phase particles. Results zone as in Figure 1) after immersion for 90 min in a 0.1 M
showed that a three-step mechanism could be proposed Na2SO4 + 0.001 M NaCl solution.
for the dissolution and accompanying processes occurring
near the AA2024 S-phase particles at open circuit in
chloride-containing sulfate solutions: (i) Al and Mg REFERENCES
preferential dissolution, (ii) galvanic coupling between 1. P. Schmutz and G. S. Frankel, J. Electrochem. Soc.,
the Cu-enriched particles and the surrounding matrix, 145, 2285 (1998)
leading to increased passivity of the surrounding matrix, 2. L. Lacroix, L. Ressier, C. Blanc, and G. Mankowski, J.
and (iii) Cu deposition around the corroded particles. Electrochem. Soc., 155, C8 (2008)
KFM was thus demonstrated to be an efficient technique
for such a study allowing the different steps of the
corrosion process to be revealed. On immersion in the
electrolyte for example, the absence of KFM potential
contrast on uncorroded S-phase particles was attributed to
the presence of an alumina film, protecting them from