Exploring the Potential Role of Prunus Domestica in Corrosion Inhibition of AA6063-T5 Aluminium Alloy in Sodium Chloride Media

Abstract

Aluminium is a material of choice in the industry for numerous applications due to its excellent properties. Unfortunately, the films formed are amphoteric and break when exposed to alkali and strong acid, making aluminium corrode. Diverse techniques have been used in mitigating aluminum against corrosion; product fluid blending, upgrading materials, chemical inhibition, and process control. Among these techniques, the use of inhibitors is considered one of the cheapest and most convenient means to fight corrosion, especially in chloride environments. Several organic and inorganic inhibitors for corrosion protection processes have been utilized in the industry, unfortunately, most corrosion inhibitors used in the industry are toxic and expensive, research has recently moved in the direction of nontoxic and low-cost inhibitors. Therefore, in the present work, the corrosion inhibition of AA6063-T5 aluminium alloy in sodium chloride (3.5% wt) solution by Prunus Domestica extract was studied. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and gravimetric techniques were utilized in this study. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray techniques were employed to describe the surface morphology and elemental analysis, respectively. The results demonstrated that the presence of Prunus Domestica inhibits the corrosion of AA6063-T5 aluminium alloy with 99.01 % efficiency. The high corrosion resistance and low values of corrosion current, obtained from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, and gravimetric experiments, affirmed the adequacy of Prunus Domestica as an excellent corrosion inhibitor for AA6063-T5 aluminium alloy.