Extracellular polymeric substances secreted by marine fungus Aspergillus terreus: full characterization and detailed effects on aluminum alloy corrosion

In this work, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by marine fungus were fully characterized, and corrosion behavior and mechanism of aluminum alloy (AA) caused by EPS were studied. Approximately sixty species of proteins, nine monosaccharides and seven organic acids were characterized. Electrochemical measurements indicated that EPS enable the acceleration of AA corrosion, hence promoting the formation of corrosion pits. The pitting corrosion is formed because of a big cathode and small anode created by EPS. Nevertheless, the formation of a complete EPS film on the specimen surface results in a decreasing acceleration of corrosion.