A radioactive tracer investigation of the role of mercury in the corrosion of aluminum is described. Radioactive tracer techniques have permitted this study to be carried out more precisely than possible by standard analytical techniques, because they permitted accurate quantitative measurements of mercury pickup and revealed the distribution of mercury on exposed specimens. Particular attention has been given to the mechanism by which aluminum corrodes in a solution of mercuric salt. A process by which mercury makes the initial attack on aluminum, the manner in which further pickup takes place, and the relationship between the mercury pickup and the resulting corrosion have been deduced. Several results of practical consequence are described. Included is a technique for removing mercury contamination from aluminum.

Subject
Water, Corrosion rate, Aluminum, Sodium chloride, Purity, Corrosion attacks, Mercury, Oxide surfaces, Salt concentration, Weight loss, Pitting, Aluminum alloys, Alloys
Copyright 1956 by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers.
1956
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