Development of Al-5%Zn-0.5%Sn-2.6%Mg Alloy as Sacrificial Anode for Cathodic Protection of Steel in 3 wt.% NaCl Solution

In this work, two aluminum alloys, Al-5Zn-0.5Sn and Al-5Zn-0.5Sn-2.6Mg, were prepared by melting in an induction furnace to be used as sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection of marine structures. The alloys are characterized by scanning electron microscopy mapping coupled to energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Afterwards, the corrosion behavior was studied in 3 wt.% NaCl solution through immersion tests, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and weight-loss measurements. Results display that active dissolution of Al-5%Zn-0.5%Sn-2.6%Mg alloy and its quasi-uniform corrosion is associated with the major precipitates MgZn2 and Mg2Sn particles formed during the melting process. Galvanic coupling measurements over 45 d were carried out on both alloys. The sacrificial cathodic protection of both anodes was successful but the couple efficiency was greater for Al-Zn-Sn-Mg owing to its more negative corrosion potential and uniform dissolution.