Aluminum was used to investigate the mass change associated with different Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs) by using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and aluminum 2024 was characterized using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), An atmosphere containing H2S, SO2, H2SO4, NH4Cl and KBr at a Critical Relative Humidity (CRH) of 80 and up to 100% and where temperatures were between 5 and 50°C was used to corrode the aluminum 2024. The SEM images of the uninhibited 2024 samples revealed a highly corroded surface, whereas the inhibited samples showed less attack after exposure to the aggressive environments. Analysis of the inclusions within the aluminum matrix showed that the addition of certain VCIs prevented attack of both the matrix and the inclusion particles (containing Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu), whereas the non-inhibited sample showed partial corrosion of the particles. The QCM data supports the data and the images taken on the SEM by showing a distinctive mass change from the adsorption of the
inhibitor in the gas phase.
Key words: Aluminum 2024, Al, Quartz Crystal Microbalance, QCM, Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM, H2S, SO2, H2SO4, NH4Cl, KBr, Critical Relative Humidity, CRH, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors, VCI’s, Fe, Mn, Mg, Cu, corrosion, inhibitors, XPS, AFM, Atmospheric corrosion