Corrosion mechanism of pure aluminium in aqueous alkaline solution

The corrosion of pure aluminium in alkaline solution has been explored using an open circuit potential transient, potentiodynamic polarization experiment and a.c. impedance spectroscopy. The steady-state value of the open circuit potential (E _ocp ^ss ) of pure aluminium in alkaline solution was observed to decrease with increasing rotation rate of the specimen, which is ascribed to the enhanced anodic reaction. The extent of anodic polarization for the aluminium dissolution reaction on pure aluminium at E _ocp ^ss was found to be greater than that of cathodic polarization for the water reduction reaction. This indicates that the rate of corrosion of pure aluminium is mainly determined by the anodic reaction in alkaline solution. Based upon the experimental results, a corrosion mechanism for pure aluminium has been proposed in the presence of the native surface oxide film in alkaline solution, involving consecutive oxide film formation and dissolution, and simultaneous water reduction.