Corrosion behavior of the joints of carbon fiber reinforced polymers with DP590 steel and Al6022 alloy

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to propose a simple experimental method to distinguish the galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion and self-corrosion in metal/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) joints.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion behaviors of four different galvanic couples, whose anodes were Zn-coated DP590 steel and Al 6022, and cathodes were two kinds of CFRP, were investigated in immersion and GMW14872 cyclic conditions.

Findings

The results showed that the galvanic corrosion caused by direct contact between CFRP and metals was more serious than that caused by the jointing bolts. The corrosion damage caused by crevice corrosion was severer than that caused by galvanic corrosion. Self-corrosion was also significant, particularly under the cyclic salt spray condition.

Practical implications

Cyclic salt spray test may more reliably simulate the galvanic corrosion of a joint in industrial service environments, and real corrosion damage may be underestimated by a galvanic current measurement.

Originality/value

A deeper understanding of different corrosion mechanisms involved in CFRP/metal joints under different service conditions in industry has been given.

Citation

Zhang, C., Zheng, D., Song, G.-L., Guo, Y., Liu, M. and Kia, H. (2019), "Corrosion behavior of the joints of carbon fiber reinforced polymers with DP590 steel and Al6022 alloy", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 66 No. 4, pp. 479-485. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-03-2019-2090