For small particles of aluminum (<60um), a measurable percentage of the aluminum (>5%) is observed to corrode before passivation occurs at moderate temperatures (50°-60°C) in DI water within one hour. Ball Milling of the powders with aluminum oxide or other particles results in a significant increase in both the rate of corrosion and the extent of corrosion before passivation. The resulting release of hydrogen gas is of commercial interest for portable hydrogen supply systems. This paper will look at the effect of temperature increase, pH shift, and change of surface area during milling, on the corrosion rate of aluminum powders.
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