Use of aluminum alloys for automotive applications is growing steadily. However, galvanic corrosion is a major concern with those alloys. Because of the predominate use of steels in the automotive industry, the majority of accelerated test procedures commonly accepted by industry are designed for cosmetic corrosion and perforation of steels. Adopting such tests for galvanic corrosion of aluminum alloys without a fundamental understanding of the process may produce misleading results. Electrochemical studies were conducted to examine the acceleration effects of several parameters on different types of corrosion. Galvanic corrosion of Al 6111 (UNS A96111) and cold-rolled steel (Al/CRS) couples and general corrosion of CRS substrates were studied. Test results showed increases in sodium chloride deposition and temperature decreased polarization resistance of steel and increased the galvanic corrosion current of the Al/CRS couples.

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NACE International
1999
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