Protective role of local Al cladding against corrosion damage and hydrogen embrittlement of 2024 aluminum alloy specimens

The present investigation aims to inquire whether Al cladding of 2024 aluminum alloy specimens could provide, additionally to the expected protection against corrosion damage, also a protection against the corrosion induced hydrogen embrittlement of the alloy. The latter is observed when bare 2024 material is subjected to laboratory exfoliation corrosion exposure also in the absence of mechanical loading. Furthermore, the study aims to ponder on the question whether local Al cladding at small regions of the specimen surface might suffice for protecting the specimen against corrosion damage and hydrogen embrittlement. The work comprises the results of an extensive experimental investigation including tensile tests on precorroded 2024 specimens protected through both complete and local surface Al cladding, metallographic and fractographic analyses as well as measurements of the hydrogen uptake during the corrosion process.