Formation of copper clusters in the process of biocorrosion of aluminum alloys by microscopic fungi

In this work, biocorrosion of D16T and AMg6 aluminum alloys under the influence of microscopic fungi was studied. It has been shown that micromycetes produce reactive oxygen species – superoxide anion-radical, hydrogen peroxide, which initiate biocorrosion of metals. The composition products of biocorrosion of D16T and AMg6 after exposure of the alloys on the lawn of a consortium of micromycetes was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An X-ray phase study of alloy biocorrosion products was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis show the formation of nanosized and submicron copper clusters. A physicochemical mechanism of biocorrosion of aluminum alloys by microscopic fungi is proposed. An assumption is made about the mechanism of operation of the «zerovalent metal – hydrogen peroxide» systems, which can trigger a cascade of reactions leading to the destructive oxidation of metals. The paper attempts to explain the role of microfungal community biofilms as the main factor in the mycological corrosion of metals