Microbial corrosion behavior and mechanism of 5A06 aluminum alloy under low dose proton radiation

Low-dose proton radiation is one of the important factors that have a major impact on microorganisms in spacecraft. In this paper, the changes in the life activity characteristics of Penicillium oxalate and its impact on the corrosion behavior and mechanism of 5A06 aluminum alloy under low-dose proton radiation have been reported. The results show that the survival rate of the fungus is only 24.8 % under the low radiation condition, but its growth rate is faster and the content of organic acid produced by the metabolism of the fungus is higher per unit. The fungal attachment area was deeper and corroded more severely. Electrochemical tests have shown that the corrosion rate of aluminum alloy is related to the organic acid content in the metabolic solution, so the accumulation of organic acids is considered the main reason for the sever and faster corrosion of 5A06 aluminum alloy under low radiation.