FT-IR OPTICAL-FIBER REMOTE DETECTION OF ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE BY EVANESCENT-WAVE ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY

Remote detection of very small amounts of aluminum hydroxide has been achieved with the use of evanescent wave absorption spectroscopy. Alum inum hydroxide is a principal corrosion product of aluminum. Five abso rption bands have been recorded in the spectral range from 3350 to 365 0 cm(-1). The recorded positions, transition strengths, and widths of the absorption bands are in qualitative agreement with reference spect ral data. A four-wavenumber-resolution Michelson interferometer and de coated 200-mu m-core-diameter multimode chalcogenide optical fibers we re combined to make the evanescent wave absorption measurements. One-t o four-meter lengths of fiber were used with 15 to 25 cm of the fibers decoated. The technique is very sensitive and can detect a very small amount of aluminum hydroxide in contact with the decoated fiber core. This study is a valuable step in the development of a technique for m onitoring industrial corrosion of aluminum alloys.