Electrochemical corrosion studies and pitting corrosion sensitivity of a self-pierce rivet joint of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) - laminate and EN AW-6060-T6

The galvanic corrosion of a self-pierce rivet joint of EN AW-6060-T6 and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminate joint by an Almac (R)-coated self-pierce steel rivet was electrochemically investigated in a 5 wt.% sodium chloride solution. Furthermore, the joint was examined in a climate chamber according to the VDA 621-415 (VDA = Verein Deutscher Automobilhersteller) standard test and microscopically observed. Electrochemical tests of the single components already reveal that a rivet joint of the materials can lead to pitting corrosion on the aluminium alloy surface and enforces the dissolution of the anti-corrosion layer Almac (R) of the rivet. This predicted corrosion behaviour was confirmed by the microscopic observations after the exposure of the joint in the climate chamber.