Experimental study of galvanic corrosion behaviour of carbon fibre composite coupled to aluminium in artificial seawater

The galvanic corrosion behaviours of carbon fibre composite coupled to aluminium are studied when the galvanic couple is just immersed in artificial seawater or connected to a closed electric circuit. The effects of grinding condition, concentration of artificial seawater, applied torque, applied current and experimental time are studied. The roughness average, weight gain of carbon fibre composite and weight loss of aluminium are investigated as a function of the above variables. The results show that the applied current can accelerate the galvanic corrosion greatly. With improving grinding condition and increasing applied torque, the roughness average, weight gain of carbon fibre specimen and weight loss of aluminium specimen increase, reach maximum and then decrease. With increasing concentration of artificial seawater, applied current and experimental time, these measured values increase. Corroded surface morphology is also investigated using scanning electron microscopy.