Corrosion behavior of pure aluminum in FeCl3 solution

The corrosion behavior of pure aluminum in FeCl₃ solution was investigated mainly by in-situ AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). The results of combined researches of AFM, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDAX(Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray) show that in addition to uniform attack, pitting corrosion takes place also on pure aluminum surface in FeCl₃ solution at open-circuit potential, and impurity elements Fe and Cu are found enriched in corrosion product. In-situ AFM was also used to examine the initiation and development of pitting corrosion of pure aluminum induced by potentiodynamic sweep, and the repassivation of an active pit is observed. AFM tip scratching technique was used to produce a physical defect on metal surface, which is traced by in-situ AFM and it is found that the defect is likely to be preferentially attacked and evolve to pitting corrosion.