Selective corrosion of 550°C aged Cu10Ni–3Al–1.3Fe alloy in NaCl aqueous solution

Abstract This work studied the electrochemical behavior of a solution treated or 550 °C aged Cu10Ni–3Al–1.3Fe alloy, in 0.01 M NaCl aqueous solution, through potentiodynamic polarization in both stagnant condition or under erosion process. Results showed the occurrence of a passivity break potential (Epb), related to the beginning of the denickelification process, which occurred as a localized attack under stagnant electrolyte. Under erosion conditions localized denickelification was not observed, despite of the presence of Epb. This could indicate that selective corrosion of Ni, which caused the observed Epb, occurred as a dissolution–redeposition process, with removal of the Cu deposits during erosion process.