Synchrotron radiation contribution to the study of aluminium corrosion layers of air and space museum aircrafts for their preservation

Abstract

Materials made of aluminium alloys are nowadays encountered in museum collections, especially in air and space museums. Due to their size, these materials have been exposed for decades to climatic changes, allowing the development of thick corrosion layers. To improve the conservation of such collections, curators need information on the physico-chemical characteristics of the thick corrosion layers. To achieve this, samples collected on aircrafts were characterized. μXANES investigations (Al-K edge) have allowed us to determine aluminium local chemical environment in amorphous corrosion products. Electrochemical measurements were realised to establish correlation between the composition and the electrochemical behaviour of such Al alloys.