Effect of lanthanum addition on microstructure and corrosion behavior of Al-Sn-Bi anodes

Novel Al-Sn-Bi anodes with and without lanthanum (La) were prepared. To evaluate the corrosion properties of the anodes, constant current and dynamic loop tests were carried out to determine its efficiency and corrosion rate. Optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy spectrum analysis techniques were used to examine and analyze microstructure and corrosion behavior of the specimens. The result showed that the Al-Sn-Bi anodes with La additions revealed higher current efficiency and anticorrosion in artificial environment. Segregation phase of anodes with La additions got more homogenous than that without La additions. Its grains were fined and the amount of segregation Fe-phase was reduced.