Application of accelerated corrosion tests to predict the service life of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

The objective of this research was to quantify the effects of corrosion, based on grain direction, mass loss and pit-depths, on the static strength and fatigue life of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. In order to achieve this objective, the test specimens were cut from flat sheets of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy and were masked with masking material to restrict corrosion to a confined area. The corrosion process was accelerated by use of an electrolytic corrosion cell After corrosion, specimens were tested in tension and fatigue. Specimens were corroded to mass loss ranges of 0-1%, 1-2%, 2-3%, and 3-4%. Tensile and fatigue tests were performed on the corroded samples and the results were interpreted. The data for corrosion pit-depths was obtained from Ultrasound analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The stress concentration at the pits was obtained from finite element analysis by using I-Deas® Master Series 7.