Study on the Electrochemical Behavior of Al-6Zn-0.02In-1Mg-0.03Ti Sacrificial Anodes for Long-Term Corrosion Protection in the Ocean

After 10 y of service in the ocean, the long-term performance of Al-6Zn-0.02In-1Mg-0.03Ti aluminum alloy sacrificial anodes for steel piles was characterized by mass loss in addition to optical and electron microscopy analysis. The electrochemical behavior was conducted by open-circuit potential with potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarizations. The results showed that cathodic protection potential was in the range of −0.960 VCSE to −1.103 VCSE. The corrosion type and consumption rate of the alloy anode were related to the output current. In harsh corrosion environments, the alloy anode showed uniform corrosion and lost more mass due to voltage output, therefore more current is needed to fulfill cathodic protection. Otherwise, localized corrosion and less mass loss were observed. The alloy anodes were covered by marine creatures and corrosion product. The corrosion product contained amorphous Al(OH)3 and MgAl2(CO3)(OH)·xH2O which became more crystalline from outside to inside of the alloy anode. A translucent corrosion product was found on the alloy anode surface which contained amorphous Al(OH)3·xH2O with S, along with AlxCly(OH)z·mH2O. The electrochemical performance of the alloy anode was strongly reduced by the coverage of corrosion product. Consequently, the open-circuit potential of the alloy anode increased and the output current decreased. The effect of corrosion product thicknesses on the anodic activation is not remarkable.