We use X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES) to investigate the corrosion of aluminium components. Clean aluminium films were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions and exposed to water and NaCl. We attempt to provide a model for the mechanism of this interaction and its effects on the durability of the components. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.