Continuous monitoring of aluminum corrosion process in deaerated water

A device was developed for the continuous measurement of the open circuit corrosion rate of aluminum in deaerated water from hydrogen pressure, resulted from the cathodic reaction. Corrosion rate of aluminum coated by the passive oxide film was examined with respect to the corrosion phenomena using this device. From the results, it was found that the corrosion rate was dependent not only on the deterioration of the film, but also on the formation of pits and of corrosion products on the film. Furthermore, the deterioration of the film was independent on the pH of the water. The pits were most probably formed by the evolution of hydrogen gas at the cathode underneath the film followed by the formation of Al(OH)4-.