MICROBIAL INFLUENCED CORROSION STUDIES OF BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS ON AA2024 ALUMINUM ALLOYS

摘要

Jet fuel is frequently contaminated with microorganisms that can cause corrosion of fuel tanks. The wing tank bottom and sides are affected by the growth of a biological sludge associated with the condensed water. The behavior of AA2024 aluminum alloy in a culture of one of the principal contaminates, the bacteria Bacillus Licheniformis (BL), is determined. Comparative results of cyclic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies are presented on sterile controls and inoculated electrochemical cells. Surface changes on the alloy, influenced from the bacteria's presence, are shown from results of scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive system (EDS) analysis.