Understanding stress corrosion cracking behavior of 7085-T7651 aluminum alloy in polluted atmosphere

The electrochemical and Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) behaviors of 7085-T7651 aluminum alloy in different environments are studied by electrochemical and mechanical testing. The research shows that the type, concentration of the corrosive medium and electrolyte state affect the electrochemical and SCC controlling processes of aluminum alloys. The Thin Electrolyte Layer (TEL) state and the addition of HSO₃^– increase the corrosion rate and SCC susceptibility. The presence of HSO₃^– in a corrosive environment can significantly accelerate the corrosion rate and mechanical property degradation, and this effect increases with the increase of HSO₃^– concentration. Compared with the solution environment, the TEL environment will further aggravate corrosion and mechanical property degradation. With the increase of HSO₃^– concentration, the pH of the corrosive environment exhibits little change, while the SCC degradation is significantly promoted. This is attributed to the HSO₃^– induced buffer effect and film-assisted stress effect, yielding the overshadowing effect against solution pH.