Aluminum alloys, and in particular Al-Li-Cu alloys are attractive to the aerospace industry. The high specific strength and stiffness of these alloys will improve lift efficiency, fuel economy, performance and increase payload capabilities of air and spacecraft. The objectives of this work were to examine the corrosion behavior of Al 2195 (UNS A92 195) (AI-4 CU-1Li) and to assess the effect of welding on corrosion behavior in biologically active and in sterile waters. Al 2219 (UNS A922 19) samples were used in parallel tests to provide a baseline for the data generated. In this study samples were exposed to mild corrosive water solutions in both the as received and as welded conditions. The results of the study indicate exposure to biologically active solutions increases the corrosion rate. In addition, welding increases the corrosion rate in both Al 2195
and Al 2219, and causes severe localization in Al 2195. Furthermore, autogenously welded Al 2195 samples were more susceptible to attack than heterogeneously welded Al 2195 samples. Heterogeneously welded samples in both materials also had high corrosion rates, but only the Al 2195 material was subject to localization of attack. The partially melted zones of Al 2195 samples were subject to severe, focused attack. In Al 2219, interdendritic constituents in welded areas and intergranular
constituents in base material were cathodic to the Al rich matrix materials. In Al 2195, some interdendritic constituents in welded areas and intergranular constituents in base material were anodic to the Al rich matrix materials. Corrosion resistance was correlated to material microstructure using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and polarization resistance.
Keywords: Aluminum, corrosion, welding, biofilms, microbes