Galvanic Corrosion of Automotive Mixed Metal Substrates: Fundamental Understanding
Authors: Kannan Balaji , Fraley Susanna , Pollum Marvin , Fleischauer Richard , Lim Mary Lyn 
Published: February 2020

Dissimilar metal joining is of increasing interest in many structural applications due to its potential to enable light weighting. Light-weight substrates such as aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are increasingly used in place of conventional steels due to their high strength-to-weight ratios. Two of the main challenges associated with the increased usage of mixed metal systems are galvanic corrosion and challenges with classical joining methods. 1,2. Most joining methods such as riveting, mechanical fasteners, and welding, results in electrical connection between the joined metals, which poses galvanic corrosion issues. Even galvanic isolation approaches such as the use of adhesives can cause galvanic corrosion problems due to the complexity of mixed metal assemblies. In galvanic coupling scenarios, the less noble material experiences severe corrosion and more noble material is protected. It is important to build a fundamental understanding of this phenomenon relative to the metallurgy and electrochemistry of the substrates, as well as the coupling method, to provide effective corrosion mitigation solutions.

Electrochemical test techniques such as zero resistance ammeter measurements, open circuit potential measurements, and potentiodynamic polarization were utilized to understand effect of substrate type and solution pH on galvanic corrosion. In addition to the substrate effect, the effect of fastener type on galvanic corrosion between substrate and fasteners was also investigated for selected systems. The influence of joining methods such as self-piercing rivets, adhesives, and mechanical fasteners on galvanic corrosion was also studied. Galvanic and self-coupled coupons were exposed to standard laboratory accelerated life cycle test methods. Wedging by corrosion products, scribe creep, and corrosion volume loss were each characterized to quantify the extent of galvanic corrosion after environmental testing.

Preliminary results indicated that galvanic coupling enhanced the wedging of substrate by corrosion products when aluminum alloy 6111-T4 (AA 6111-T4) is coupled with cold rolled steel (CRS). In addition, the pitting corrosion of AA 6111-T4 increased when it is coupled with CRS (Figure 1). Although hot dip galvanized (HDG) based galvanic coupons showed no significant wedging by corrosion products, galvanic coupling of CRS with HDG aggravate the scribe creep of HDG. Galvanic isolation methods such as coating before joining or utilizing adhesives significantly reduced galvanic corrosion in the model mixed-material systems.

Figure 1. Average pit depth of AA 6111-T4 substrate coupled with different mixed-metal substrates after various exposure times in neutral and acidic cyclic corrosion tests (CCT).

Acknowledgements:

Research was sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory, the Tank Automotive Research Design Engineering Center, and Drexel University under Cooperative Agreement W911NF-13-2-0046 and related sub awards.

References:

LeBozec, N., LeGac, A., Thierry, D., Materials and Corrosion, 2012, 63 (5), pp 408 - 415.

Calabrese, L., Proverbio, E., Pollicino, E., Galtieri, G., Borsellino, C., Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology, 2015, 50 (1), pp 10-17

Figure 1