Abstract
Ghali, E, 2010, Hardcover, John Wiley Sons. Inc, 719 pp., ISBN 9780471715764, 10050, 12060, 14995
Aluminum and magnesium occupy a prominent position in the metals family since they are utilised in many industries and environments. The book does not focus only in these metals but also on their alloys and particularly on the special group of AlMg alloys. There are several books devoted to Al and Mg but this one compiles all the up to date theoretical and practical knowledge on the subject in one large, detailed, rich volume. This is the book that the worldwide corrosion community was expecting
The book is part of the Wiley Corrosion series edited by R. Winston Revie, which also includes the following titles Corrosion Inspection and Monitoring by Pierre R. Roberge and Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion by Brenda J. Little and Jason S. Lee.
This title is well organised, in a hierarchical sequence and consists of six Chapters from fundamentals of corrosion through corrosion of Al and Mg and their alloys, concluding with protection, testing and several appendices. Other parts list the basic principles required to understand particular types of Al and Mg failures such as environmentally induced cracking, mechanically assisted corrosion, metallurgically and microbiologically influenced corrosion.
Chapter 3 deals extensively with the thermodynamic aspects of corrosion through the Pourbaix diagrams for the potentialpH relationship, their construction, utility and limits, in the prediction of corrosion. Other Pourbaix diagrams depict the influence of chloride on the behavior of Al the corrosion reactions of Mg in water appear in its Pourbaix diagram showing the possible protection of Mg at high pH values and its corrosion performance in the presence of H2 molecules. Chapter 4 examines for prevention and protection including inhibitors, cathodic protection, conversion coatings, anodisation, organic finishing and surface modifications. All the conventional and electrochemical methods and techniques for corrosion investigation and testing, physical examination and nondestructive evaluation are mentioned, explained and demonstrated with practical examples.
There is no metallic structure, machine or vehicle without parts joined by welds. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of brazed, soldered and welded joints in Al, Mg and their alloys for the diverse gasshielded arc, arc welding and friction welding processes are described. Al and Mg are not affected by changing climatic factors such as humidity, heat, winds, solar radiation and slight acidification of the sea by dissolution of carbon dioxide CO2. Their low cost, favorable machinability and weldability, propitious thermal and electrical properties, and non toxicity made them attractive for many applications.
As corrosion professionals, active in corrosion research and environment and industrial corrosion control we benefited from reading the parts on environmentally induced corrosion of Al, Mg and their alloys. The clear text, easy to follow, extensive graphics, didactic illustrations, well ordered tables the photographs and micrographs provide a comprehensive reference to obtain corrosion resistance properties, to assist the reader in his work on selection of materials for industrial implementation.
Metallic, chemical conversion and organic coatings for aluminum and magnesium alloys are well described regarding their corrosion resistance and surface finishing properties. Conventional electrochemical and electroless plating processes, inhibitors and cathodic sacrificial methods are briefly described as protection methods. This introductory description is the preface to deal with the widely used conversion coatings that are explained in detail emphasising chromate, phosphate, non chromate rare earth cerium, vanadium, molybdenum based formulation baths and processes. Anodic film and organic coating finishes are also included. Electrochemical and conventional corrosion testing methods for the coated surfaces of aluminum and magnesium alloys are introduced using examples and experimental corrosion monitoring results obtained applying different standards.
If a second edition is to be published as this book deserves, it would useful to add
A brief history of Al and Mg, their discovery, how they developed from exotic metals used as cutlery by kings and jewels by the rich, into industrial alloys employed in many industries aircraft, aerospace, naval, transportation, construction, automotive, domestic wares.
The International Unified Numbering System UNS, widely accepted, together with the conventional designations by the Aluminum Association AA and the International Magnesium Association IMA for Mg alloys. An international code for designing Mg alloys does not exist.
Databases and software programs for the management of information on Al and Mg, specially related to corrosion protection and control.
A list of journals with their publishers on Al, Mg and on corrosion from different countries.
Industrial Associations such as the Aluminum Association Inc, USA the International Aluminum Institute IAI, the European Aluminum Association, the Aluminum Association of India, the International Magnesium Association IMA and the European Magnesium Research Association should distribute this book to the managers of Al and Mg producing plants, to the fabricators of Al building components, to the executives of the automotive industry applying parts made of Al and Mg in their vehicles for the use of their research, design, construction and maintenance personnel.
The end of the book includes a bibliography in addition to the hundreds of learned historical and modern references a list of international units, abbreviations and symbols, the periodic table and an alphabetic index for easy location of important topics.
Professor Edward Ghali teaches corrosion and applied electrochemistry at the Department of Mining, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering of the Universit Laval, Canada. We have the pleasure to congratulate him for the titanic work required to compile and present this vast body of knowledge and information on Al and Mg.
This volume is strongly recommended for engineers and technicians corrosion practitioners and consultants researchers, professors and their undergraduate and postgraduate students designers and constructors of buildings, ships superstructure food transportation trucks motor vehicles, aircrafts. They will benefit from reading, using and owning this useful publication.
Director and Professor, Institute of Engineering, University of Baja California, Mexico
Professor Dr Honoris Causa, Institute of Engineering, University of Baja California, Mexico
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