Corrosion of aluminum alloy used as sacrificial anode for steel embedded concrete transmission tower in brackish mud

Abstract

This paper presents the cathodic protection of steel embedded concrete of aluminum based alloy in brackish mud. In this experiment, aluminum based alloys containing 5% zinc, 2% magnesium, and 0.5-2% stannum were fabricated. These elements were added because they produce heat treatable alloys, improved anti friction characteristics, fluidibility, and contain highest strengthening effect on aluminum alloys. These alloys were tested as sacrificial cathodic protection for the standard steel embedded concrete exposed to sea water and brackish mud. Surface morphology of the samples after subjected to corrosion was investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and anode capacity test (efficiency test). The results revealed that sample with the composition of 95.6% of aluminum, 3.83% of zinc, and 0.19% of stannum showed the best performance hence it was selected for cathodic protection in brackish mud. © 2017 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.