Corrosion of aluminium and aluminium alloy in ethylene glycol–water mixtures

Samples of pure aluminium and aluminium alloy were heated at 150 kPa and 130 °C in ethylene glycol (EG)–water mixture (volume ratio 1:1) for 172 h (8–12 h heating, 12–16 h pause). The corrosion of the metals was characterised by the transfer of Al into solution, changes in the surface morphology of the samples and their electrochemical behaviour. Formation of a white crystalline aluminium-organic precipitate was found during the heating of metals and some of its characteristics were determined. The effect of the addition of glycolic, citric and sebacic acid to the EG–water mixture on the metal corrosion behaviour was investigated. A significant corrosive action of glycolic acid and a protective effect of sebacic acid were found.