Abstract
The effect of alloying constituents in aluminium on the corrosive attack by mercury has been investigated by the study of both macro- and micro-effects of mercury in solution and in the atmosphere. The use of a synthetic dust iS described whereby corrosion effects can be directly attributed to the presence of mercury in the p.p.m. range. It is shown that certain alloying constituents in aluminium markedly inhibit mercury attack even by a saturated solution of mercuric chloride. Visual observation of the inhibition of mercury attack by some alloying constituents has been related to potential measurements of aluminium alloys before and after exposure to mercury.
Methods of establishing whether or not mercury is a contributing factor to the corrosion of aluminium in a corrosive environment are described.
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