On understanding the effect of benzotriazole during barrier-film growth on Al-Cu alloys

Abstrasct The effect of benzotriazole on the growth of anodic films on aluminium and an Al-3.5 wt% Cu alloy has been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Films grown to relatively high voltages reveal flaws and oxygen-filled voids as a result of the surface morphology and copper enrichment and oxidation at the alloy/film interface. Benzotriazole, apart from increasing the efficiency of anodic film growth on the artificially aged alloy, also reduces the population density of the local features. The impedance response of films formed at relatively low voltages has been used to probe the early influence of benzotriazole on the macroscopic surface as well as flaws of the oxide-covered substrate.