Microstructure characterization of electro-chemically activated aluminium

Yingda Yu1, Øystein Sævik1, Jan Halvor Nordlien2 and Kemal Nisancioglu1

1Department of Materials Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7491 Trondheim, Norway

2Hydro Aluminum R&D Materials Technology, N-4256 Håvik, Norway

Light Metal Surface Science

2

Background

In our Electrochemistry group, a long history to investigate the Al anodic activation phenomenon by high temperature annealing.

This curious anodic activation is found to be related with the segregation of the trace element lead (Pb) at the alloy surfaces.

This activation mechanism has not been fully explained, even though this phenomenon has long been exploited for practical purposes.

The objective of the present work is to provide further microstructure evidence for understanding this Al anodic activation phenomenon.

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-1

-0.9

-0.8

-0.7

-0.6

-0.5

-0.4

0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100

Current density [mA/cm2]

Pot

enti

al [

VS

CE]

As extruded

10 min

30 min

60 min

High temperature annealing leads to electrochemical activation as indicated by corrosion potential (1) and polarization measurements (2).

(1) measured in acidified sea water after AA 3102 heat treatment at different temperature for 2h.

(2) measured in 5% NaCl solution after AA 3102 heat treatment at 600ºC for different annealing time.

JTB Gunderson PhD Thesis NTNU2002

-0.9

-0.85

-0.8

-0.75

-0.7

0 500 1000 1500

Exposure time [min]

Pot

enti

al [

VS

CE]

As extruded

400°C

500°C

550°C

600°C

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The 50ppm Pb-Al binary model alloy after high temperature heat treatment in air is used in the present investigation for understanding the Pb segregation on Al surface.

GD-OES depth profiles suggested the electrochemical activation is related to the enrichment of the trace element Pb at the oxide-metal interface.

JTB Gunderson PhD Thesis NTNU2002

GD-OES depth profiles for AA3102 heat-treated for 60 min at 600°C

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10 nm

(111)(100) The results reported at the 2002 LMSS annual meeting

(111

)

(111)(100)

Even though, no Pb particles were found in the surface region, TEM EDS analyses indicated the increasing Pb segregation at the metal-oxide interface with increasing annealing time.

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Experimental

Sample Detail

50ppm Pb-Al model system, 600ºC annealing for 1 hr, 2hr and 4hr

TEM observation

Philips CM30 operated at an accelerating voltage 300 kV

TEM sample preparation

Cross-sectional samplescut to slice ground to 150 m dimpled to about 30 m ion beam thinning at 3-3.5 degree 3.5 kV (PIPS)

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Where are the Pb-containing particles distributed?

Pb-containing particles are segregated at the metal-oxide interface.

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EDS micro-probe composition analysis

Even though the particle size with only 5 nm in diameter, it can emit strong enough TEM EDS peaks, both for Pb L and Pb M.

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Pb-containing particles are in metallic form

HRTEM investigation reveals that the fringe distances of the Pb-containing particles are around 0.286 nm which close to Pb (111).

Moreover, by using the -Al2O3 as the internal reference, the particle lattice distance can be exactly determined as 0.286 nm that suggests these particles are in metallic state.

-Al2O3

Al Matrix

Al Matrix

Al Matrix

0.286 nm

0.286 nm0.286 nm

0.286 nm

0.453 nm

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Lattice parameters of all possible Phases

0.291 nm

(106)

0.278 nm

(210)

0.276 nm

(111)

PbAl12O19 Hexagonal

a = 0.555 c = 0.219nm

0.286 nm

(111)

0.248 nm

(200)

Pb FCC Cubic

a = 0.494 nm

0.453 nm

(111)

0.277 nm

(202)

0.236 nm

(133)

-Al2O3 FCC Cubic

a = 0.784 nm Spinel

0.234 nm

(111)

0.203 nm

(200)

Al FCC Cubic

a = 0.405 nm

The lattice planes and distances related with the present HRTEM investigation

-- -

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How to be related with surface activation?

The particle shapes are supposed not change too much under TEM beam since they are embedded inside the sample.

Even though the elliptic shaped particles were sometimes detached from the interface, their surfaces facing the metal interface were flat, indicating that these particles were originally located at metal-oxide interfaces.

Epoxy

Oxide

Al Matrix

Al Matrix

Interface

Al MatrixAl Matrix

InterfaceInterface

Oxide

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Particle size effect – inversely proportional to nano-particle size – lower the melting point

Melting Point depression of the embedded nano-particles

The particle with no orientation relationship between Pb /Al interface is more unstable that that with semi-coherent interface under electron beam irradiation.

Understanding the interface state is important to reveal Pb activation behaviour

Poor WettingGood Wetting

first TEM investigation (Takagi J. Phys. Soc. Jap.1954)

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Conclusions

Small Pb particles of the order 10 nm in size were detected and originally located at the metal-oxide interface.

The particles are metallic Pb based on lattice fringe measurement and thermodynamic considerations.

The initial HRTEM results reveal that these nano-particles are randomly oriented with incoherent interfaces with neighbouring alumina and aluminium.

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Acknowledgments

Light Metal Surface Science is funded by:

The Norwegian Research

Council

• DuPont Powder Coatings • Electro Vacuum AS • GSB • Jotun Powder Coatings AS • NORAL AS • Norsk Industrilakkering AS• Profillakkering AS

An industry consortiumconsisting of:

Hydro Aluminium