Determination of electrochemical properties of 7075 aluminum alloy with different heat treatments.

Aluminum is one of the most common elements in nature and has high corrosion resistance. Although pure aluminum is light, it is very soft and low in strength. Various alloys are obtained by mixing with other metals. Mechanical properties of aluminum alloys are increased by thermal and mechanical treatments. Aluminum alloys are widely used in today's industry thanks to their high specific strength, easy forming, easy processing, high thermal and electrical conductivity, low weight, high ductility, high corrosion and abrasion resistance. It is used instead of steel in aircraft industry, automobile, crane, bridge, defense industry and tool manufacturing. Aluminum has a high chemical activity. Many aluminum alloys resist to corrosion in natural atmosphere and natural waters due to the rapidly forming oxide layer on their surfaces. On the other hand, since the oxide layer is very thin, its resistance to chemical and mechanical effects is low. Mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of 7075 aluminum alloy varies according to different heat treatments. In this study, electrochemical behavior of 7075 aluminum alloys with different heat treatments in corrosive environments containing chlorine ions was investigated. In this study, fully annealed 7075-O and solution treated and artificially 7075-T6 aluminum alloys were subjected to, open circuit potential, cyclic polarization pre and post Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements and it was determined that the heat treatment of the material effective on the corrosion kinetics.