Effect of Sand Concentration on the Erosion-Corrosion Behavior of AA5052 Aluminum Alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution

The effect of particle concentration on erosion-corrosion behavior of AA5052 aluminum alloy has been investigated in 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution containing 250-500 μm SiO2 erosive particles. The tests were conducted using a jet impingement rig at a jet velocity of 6.5 m/s, an impingement angle of 30° and three sand concentrations of 30, 60 and 90 g/l. Synergistic effect between erosion and corrosion was calculated in accordance with ASTM G119-09. Results showed that the pure erosion and erosion-corrosion rates increased as the sand concentration increased to 60 g/l. However, the rate of increase in both the erosion and the erosion-corrosion rates were decreased at concentration above 60 g/l that could be due to higher work hardening of the surface at higher sand concentration. Results also showed that at the sand concentrations tested synergy was negative. This could be due to formation of protective layer on erosion-corrosion samples that resulted in lower rates during erosioncorrosion tests.