Exfoliation and intergranular corrosion resistance of the 2198 Al–Cu–Li alloy with different thermomechanical treatments

In this study, the resistance to exfoliation and intergranular corrosion (IGC) of the 2198 Al–Cu–Li alloy submitted to different thermomechanical treatments (T3, T8, and T851) was investigated. The tests were carried out following the standard practices, ASTM G34‐18 and ASTM G110‐15, respectively. All the tested alloys showed susceptibility to exfoliation and some alloys showed susceptibility to IGC, but the artificially aged alloys presented a higher tendency to exfoliation. The extensive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was observed on the surfaces of artificially aged alloys when immersed in the EXCO solution. The HER resulted in an increase in solution pH with the time of immersion. Also, the weight losses related to the artificially aged alloys were higher than that of the naturally aged ones. The T8 treatment was the only condition that resulted in susceptibility to both, intergranular and transgranular corrosion, whereas the T851 treatment did not show IGC susceptibility, only transgranular corrosion. Finally, the 2198‐T3 condition showed the highest corrosion resistance among the thermomechanical treatments tested. The results of the 2198 alloy subjected to various treatments were compared with that of the 2024‐T3 alloy. This last alloy showed higher resistance to exfoliation and IGC as compared with the 2198 alloy. The exfoliation and intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance of the 2198 Al–Cu–Li alloy with different thermomechanical treatments were investigated. Higher pH values were related to artificially aged alloys in the EXCO solution. Interestingly, a relation between weight loss and pH was established in this solution. Information about the corrosion attack depth in the IGC solution was discussed. This information has great importance for the aeronautical industry.