ME S-STEM Scholar's Research -- Ricardo Cardoza

Mr. Ricardo Cardoza, an ME S-STEM scholar, spent his 2016 summer time at The University of Virginia in Dr. Robert Kelly's laboratory. Ricardo conducted polarization scans, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and 100-hour bulk exposures to test the effects of aluminum ions on material properties of aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloy (AA) is commonly used in naval ships due to its low cost, high strength to weight ratio, and great resistance to uniform corrosion. Unfortunately, a localized corrosion known as intergranular corrosion (IGC) still occurs.  When the alloy begins to corrode, aluminum ions are released into the solution the metal is sitting in. Ricardo's research is aimed to determine whether those ions affect the corrosion rate.  His result has shown that the greater the aluminum concentration, the greater intergranular corrosion and initiation sights.  In addition, low pH values in the solution and large exposure area make intergranular corrosion likely to occur.