Mechanical and electrochemical deterioration mechanisms in the tribocorrosion of Al alloys in NaCl and in NaNO3 solutions

Tribocorrosion of Al–Si–Cu–Mg alloys was investigated in 0.05 M NaCl and 0.1 M NaNO3 solutions under severe sliding and controlled electrochemical conditions. A simple galvanic coupling model was developed to analyze and quantitatively predict the evolution of the open circuit potential during tribocorrosion. According to this model and the obtained results, galvanic coupling was established in the NaNO3 solution within the wear track between passive and mechanically depassivated areas. In the NaCl solution, galvanic coupling was established between the whole depassivated wear track and the surrounding area. This difference was attributed to different mechanical properties of the passive surfaces.

► First tribocorrosion investigation of Al alloys using electrochemical techniques.
► First galvanic coupling model predicting potential evolution during tribocorrosion.
► Different galvanic coupling modes established in NaNO3 and NaCl solutions.