Aluminum - alloys and corrosion - questions

[MrReds]

Hallo to everybody

When using search function I have seen lots of threads concerning aluminum corrosion.
Nevertheless, what I'd like to know is: could you kindly tell me is there a web page where I can find different properties of aluminum alloys ?

Concerning corrosion of aluminum, do you think that utilizing one alloy instead than an another one can delay the corrosion of aluminum when joined with copper ?
Do you think that the way this joining is realized can influence the dynamic of corrosion ?
Last question: is aluminum suitable to domestic water (ex: water with Cl), or to water mixed to anti frozen liquids ?

Thanks in advance

 

[kenvlach]

aluMATTER has an good intro to Al corrosion (very brief, but has photos):

http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/content/html/eng/default.asp?catid=180&pageid=2144416690

aluSelect has tables of properties for each common alloy. Below is for Corrosion and Anodizing Properties of Al 5052; there is a scroll menu for chosing alloys & on the left, a menu for other properties.

http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/aluselect/02_corrosion_browse.asp

Besides many general books, there are 2 recent books on the Corrosion of Al:
Corrosion of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by ASTM Int., (1999)

http://www.campusi.com/bookFind/asp/bookFindPriceLst.asp?prodId=0871706296

and
Corrosion of Aluminium by Christian Vargel (2004)

http://www.campusi.com/bookFind/asp/bookFindPriceLst.asp?prodId=0080444954

Re "corrosion of aluminum when joined with copper"
Copper enormously accelerates the corrosion of aluminum. Dissolved copper ions can travel throughout a closed loop, deposit on the aluminum & cause galvanic corrosion.
1) Use a dielectric junction (rubber gasket prevents direct contacts of the dissimilar metals.
2) Use a good coolant/antifreeze solution specified for protection of aluminum-containing systems.
3) The Al alloy must be nearly pure aluminum, e.g., Al 1100, 3003, 5005. Cannot be any 2000 or 7000 series alloy.

Aluminum isn't a good choice for domestic water systems. Occasionally, high purity grades like 1199 or those ust mentioned are used for non-chlorinated water. Some so-called 'marine grades' like 5052 are occasionally used on ships.

Hope this helps. Please include details on alloy & application if you need more info.