Abstract:The polarization curves of the a-phase aluminium bronze measured in 5% NaCI electrochemically show that the corrosion process of the alloy is controlled by the diffusion of oxygen. The corrosion surface of theα-phase Al bronze in NaCI solution for a short time was analysed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the initial corrosion product of the Al bronze consists of a simple Cu₂O phase, A1 and Ni are incorporated in Cu₂O lattice structure in the form of ions, and none of the aluminium compound can be detected. The authors propose that the initial corrosion mechanism of a-phase A1 bronzes in NaCI solution should include oxidation, reduction and diffusion.

Key words: a-phase Al bronze, NaCI solution, initial corrosion, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy