Electrochemical characterization of automotive aluminum alloys regarding their corrosion fatigue behavior: Bewertung der Anfälligkeit von Aluminiumlegierungen gegenüber Schwingungsrisskorrosion. Issue 3 (27th March 2018) - Engler, T.
Abstract: „Downsizing" is a well‐established practice in a wide range of industrial application. The aim is to reduce energy and raw material consumption through the enhancement of the efficiency of materials in service. In automotive and supply industry this is related to an increasing demand on performance and comfort whilst decreasing fuel consumption and pollutant emission. This is resulting in a higher and more complex material stress. Hence new testing methods have to be developed and implemented in order to meet the upcoming specifications. Aluminium alloys in chassis components are subjected to corrosion fatigue load and therefore have to be qualified for their use. The behavior of the aluminium alloys EN AW‐6082 T6 and EN AW‐7075 T73 are investigated in this study under simultaneous cyclic mechanical and corrosion loading. Load synchronized electrochemical as well as electrochemical noise measurements are performed to investigate the activation‐ and repassivation processes during corrosion fatigue testing. By monitoring the current these effects are assessed. The data monitored is conditioned by Fast‐Fourier‐Transformation in order to investigate the signal of the current density at different frequencies. Electrochemical noise measurements are performed without polarization and therefore a current transient describes local corrosion at very early stages.