ELECTROCHEMICAL TEST FOR PREDICTING MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION OF ALUMINUM AND AA 7005 ALLOY

The susceptibility of pure aluminum (Al) and Aluminum Association (AA) 7005 alloy (UNS A97005) to pitting by microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in an integral jet fuel tank was determined through polarization measurements. Usually, the most corrosive reported species is the fungus Hormoconis resinae. The effect of its proliferation on pure Al and AA 7005-T6 alloy was studied through anodic and cathodic potentiodynamic polarizations. The type and relative amount of corrosion damage to the metal were determined. Morphology of the attack was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Distribution of the alloying elements was determined using energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA).