The influence of pH on the corrosion of medium strength aerospace alloy 8090, 2091 and 2014

The influence of pH on the corrosion behaviour of two aluminium-lithium-copper-magnesium-zirconium (8090 and 2091) alloys was studied and compared with a standard aircraft alloy, 2014 (Al-4.4% Cu) and 99.9% pure Al. In constant exposure and potentiodynamic polarization studies conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution having different pH values, all the alloys exhibited high corrosion rates in acidic and alkaline environments, with a minimum in less hostile environments close to neutral pH.

The pitting potentials for aluminium-lithium alloys were slightly lower than those for 2014 and pure Al. The effect of pH on the passive current density was also less for aluminium-lithium alloys.