The investigation of cerium as a corrosion inhibitor for aluminum-copper alloys

In situ current density mapping, SEM, EDS, XANES, RDE and EIS were used to study the effects of cerium as a corrosion inhibitor for aluminum-copper alloys. Cerium was found to inhibit corrosion of these alloys by reducing the kinetics of the cathodic reaction. A decrease in both the corrosion current and corrosion potential for Al 2024 were found to be associated with the formation of cerium rich films over Cu containing intermetallics which act as local cathodes. The rate of cerium film formation and the inhibiting nature of the film were dependent on the oxidation rate of Ce...