The Performance of AA6082 Aluminum in Simulated Marine Environments after Blast-Cleaning with Recycled Glass Grit
摘要
Recycled glass grit was applied to the blast-cleaning of AA6082 aluminum alloys. Effects on morphology, chemistry and corrosion of the substrates were studied and compared with garnet blast-cleaning. The substrates were inspected by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and scanning confocal microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic corrosion tests in artificial seawater were applied. Glass grit generated irregular isotropic surface morphologies and promoted the embedment of glass debris into the substrate. The surfaces met the profile roughness requirements for offshore applications. The corrosion performance of glass grit blast-cleaned AA6082 was excellent in cyclic testing using artificial seawater. Specific energy consumptions and CO2 footprints for all process steps were calculated and compared with garnet blast-cleaning. Influence classes were estimated for all working steps. Compressed-air-based working steps contributed critically to specific energy consumption and to CO2 footprint.