A SVET study of the inhibitive effects of benzotriazole and cerium chloride solely and combined on an aluminium/copper galvanic coupling model

An aluminium/copper galvanic coupling model suitable for Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET) analysis was elaborated with the aim of simulating a galvanic couple characteristic of AA 2024. The inhibitive effects brought by benzotriazole (BTA) and cerium chloride (CeCl3) on the Al/Cu model were evaluated, separately and combined, in neutral aerated sodium chloride solutions. A positive synergistic effect was revealed yielding permanent corrosion protection for 46 h of immersion. Complementary techniques such as UV spectrophotometry and ToF-SIMS were employed, respectively, to investigate the decomposition of BTA molecules and to confirm the chemical composition of a combined BTA-based/Cerium-based layer. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.