Galvanic series of different stainless steels and copper- and aluminium-based materials in acid solutions

Galvanic series of AISI 304, 316, 316L, and 316Ti austenitic stainless steels, AISI 410 and 420 martensitic stainless steels, 63Cu37Zn brass, Cu, Al, and AlMg1 were established for 10% (wt.) hydrochloric, phosphoric, sulphamic, sulphuric, nitric, citric, acetic, and methanesulphonic (MSA) acids used as cleaners in order to predict galvanic corrosion when coupling these materials. It was found that each acid has a distinctive order of metallic materials in a galvanic series. The largest corrosion potential difference in all acids exists between Al-based materials and stainless steels, as well as Cu-based materials indicating the use of Al-based materials as sacrificial electrodes.

► Galvanic series of various stainless steel, Cu- and Al-based materials in eight acid solutions were established.
► These series will help to predict galvanic corrosion of bimetallic couples exposed to acid solutions.
► Al and AlMg1 are the most active materials in all eight acid solutions and could be used as sacrificial electrodes.