Electrochemical characterization of aluminum alloy AA2024 − T3 influenced by bacteria from Antarctica

This work studied the microbiologically influenced corrosion susceptibility of the AA2024-T3 alloy exposed to sterile and inoculated media with three coccoidal bacteria, which were isolated from the corrosion product of a fuel outlet, belonging to a Twin Otter aircraft exposed to Antarctic environmental conditions. The consortium was mainly constituted by three bacteria, which have a close affiliation to Kocuria rhizophila, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Electrochemical methods and surface analysis were carried out to investigate the corrosion susceptibility of the alloy under study in the presence of these bacteria. Electrochemical analysis suggested that the protective character of the oxide of the alloy film was modified during the immersion time in all media. Moreover, the surface analysis showed also that these bacteria influenced homogeneity of this oxide. In particular, the K. rhizophila increased slightly the current and decreased the resistance of AA2024-T3 against corrosion, instead the S. epidermidis showed a slight protective effect, while non-significant effect was observed with the presence of the consortium in the medium.