Atomic emission spectroelectrochemical investigation of the anodization of AA7050T74 aluminum alloy

Atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry (AESEC) was used to monitor the dissolution of alloying elements during the anodization process of AA7050-T74 alloy. This technique coupled with metallographic analysis of the alloy lead to the identification of defects formed in the anodized layer due to the dissolution of strengthening intermetallic compounds (Al2CuMg and MgZn2) and coarse compounds (Al7Cu2Fe). The rates of the dissolution phenomena were measured independently as a function of the applied voltage.