Effect of temperature on corrosion behavior of 3003 aluminum alloy in ethylene glycol–water solution

The effect of temperature on the corrosion behavior of 3003 aluminum alloy in ethylene glycol–water solution was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The surface characterization was observed and determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results demonstrate that the anodic aluminum dissolution and the cathodic oxygen reduction were accelerated by the increased temperature. However, as temperature was over 60 °C, the solubility and concentration of oxygen decreased, resulting in the inhibition of cathodic reaction. The cathodic reaction rate of 3003 aluminum alloy rose to the maximum at 60 °C. The Warburg impedance in Nyquist diagram diminished and then was replaced by a negative capacitance caused by the absorption of intermediate corrosion product on electrode. On the other hand, after potentiodynamic measurements, 3003 aluminum alloy suffered pitting corrosion. The dissolution of aluminum alloy around secondary phase particles expanded both horizontally and vertically.