Anodic dissolution of Al sacrificial anodes in NaCl solution containing Ce

Research highlights: → Ce improves the current efficiency of Al sacrificial anodes. → Ce enhances a uniform attack on the surface of the Al alloy. → The dissolution of the Al anode in chloride media initiates at precipitations where Ce is enriched. → Ce enhances the activation on the surface of Al sacrificial anodes. - Abstract: The corrosion behaviour of Al-Zn-In sacrificial anodes has been investigated in a sodium chloride solution containing CeCl3. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have been employed to gain knowledge of the micro-morphology and corrosion process of the Al alloy. Cerium, both as the alloy element and as the additive in the NaCl solution, improves the electrochemical properties of the Al-Zn-In alloy. The activation of Ce in the Al-Zn-In alloy in the NaCl solution has been studied.