EFFECT OF INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS ON THE ACTIVATION OF ALUMINUM ANODES

The electrochemical characterization of aluminium anodes containing di fferent intermetallic compounds in 3% sodium chloride and 0.3% sodium sulphate aqueous solutions was carried out by means of d.c. measuremen ts. The case of some Ca-Zn, Ca-In and Al-Mg-Zn intermetallic compounds in the aluminium matrix was examined. SEM and EDAX analyses were used to examine the surface structure of the anodic materials. The relatio nship between morphological structure and electrochemical results was studied and particular attention was paid to the influence of the inte rmetallic phases on the activation of aluminium anode materials. Diffe rent heat treatments, performed to ensure the dispersion of the fine i ntermetallic phases, were adopted and the results are briefly discusse d.