The Effect of Surface Pretreatment on the Corrosion Behaviour of Silanated AA2198‐T851 Al‐Cu‐Li Alloy

The corrosion behaviour of silanated AA2198‐T851 alloy substrates with and with no manufacturing‐process induced near‐surface deformed layer (MPI‐NSDL) has been investigated. Two methods (alkaline etching + desmutting and mechanical polishing) were employed in removing the MPI‐NSDL. Silanization was performed using 2‐bis‐triethoxysilylethane. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), salt spray test, and microscopy techniques were employed in the investigation of the corrosion behaviours. The studies revealed that polishing appeared to be the best silanating pre‐treatment (compared with degreasing and etching + desmutting) for the new generation AA2198‐T851 Al‐Cu‐Li alloy, and this was reflected in the EIS spectra. The etched + desmutted and the degreased surface with MPI‐NSDL did not respond well to silanization and presented more pitting sites per square millimeter. However, the severity of corrosion per pit was more on the polished sample compared with the other two. Also, the corrosion mechanisms were different for the three cases.