Influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behavior of a shape memory Cu-Al-Be alloy in 3.5 % NaCl solution

S. MONTECINOS; S. SIMISON

New Hampshire

Conferencia; Gordon Research Conferences on Corrosion-Aqueous; 2010

Gordon Research Conferences

Influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behavior of a shape memory Cu-Al-Be alloy in 3.5 % NaCl solution. In the present study we analyzed the influence of the microstructure on the corrosion behavior of a shape memory Cu-Al-Be alloy in 3.5 % NaCl in view of its application in bridges as seismic dampers. Samples with different microstructures were employed: single Beta phase and Beta matrix with Gamma2 dendritic precipitates. The changes in the topography of sample surfaces were characterized in-situ by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). The morphology and chemical compositions of the corroded areas were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XDR), Micro-Raman Spectroscopy and optical microscope (OM). Measurements of open circuit potential (Ecorr) and linear polarization resistance (Rp) during 24 h of immersion tests were also performed to obtain some information about the evolution of the corrosion process.