Effect of Micro Arc Oxidation Treatment on the Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) Behaviours of AA7020-T6 Aluminum Alloy in 3.5% NaCl Solution

Abstract

Alumina coating was formed on AA7020 aluminum alloy by micro arc oxidation (MAO) method and its corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviors were examined in 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution. Potentiodynamic polarization (PP) was used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the coating and slow strain rate test (SSRT) was used for evaluating the environmental cracking resistance in 3.5% NaCl solution. Results indicated that MAO coating on AA7020 alloy significantly improved the corrosion resistance. However the environmental cracking resistance was found to be only marginal. Key words: aluminum, micro arc oxidation, x-ray diffraction, stress corrosion cracking