Application of polyaniline to galvanic anodic protection on stainless steel in H2SO4 solutions

A stand-alone polyaniline (PANI) film electrode was made and then applied to protect 1Cr13 stainless steel (a type of stainless steel typically used in China, 0–15% C, 13% Cr) from corrosion in highly acidic solution, up to 5 M H₂SO₄. The stand-alone PANI electrode and 1Cr13 were coupled to study their galvanic interactions. PANI is a cathode while 1Cr13 is an anodic. The results indicate that PANI with a certain area can quickly passivate the stainless steel and effectively maintain the steady passive state for a long period of time. This specific method of PANI preventing 1Cr13 from corrosion is called galvanic anodic protection (GAP). Moreover, the efficiency, mechanism, and security of GAP were discussed. The results demonstrate that the stand-alone PANI electrode may have a potential application to galvanic anodic protection on stainless steel in highly corrosive H₂SO₄ solutions.     

Susceptibility of rare-earth-magnesium alloys to micro-galvanic corrosion

Four commercially produced rare-earth-magnesium alloys, as-cast ZE41, sand-cast WE43-T6, and wrought WE43-T6 and WE54-T6, were studied by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) in order to evaluate the role of their micro-constituent phases on potential galvanic interactions. Such interactions were then examined by immersion of the alloys in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The results confirmed that SKPFM was a powerful tool to determine the corrosion mechanism of magnesium alloys, where the intensity of the corrosion attack depended on the relative Volta potential differences of the micro-constituents, as well as their amounts, compositions and distributions within the alloys.     

The effect of Al content on the galvanic corrosion behaviour of coupled Ni/graphite and Ni–Al coatings

In this study, the corrosion behaviour of 75Ni/25graphite abradable coating and Ni–Al bonding coatings with different Al content were investigated with open circuit potential and polarization tests. The galvanic corrosion of the coupled Ni/graphite and Ni–Al coatings was studied by using a zero-resistance ammeter in 5 wt% NaCl solution. The experimental results showed that the corrosion resistance of the Ni–Al coatings decreased with increasing Al contents. In the galvanic corrosion test, the Ni–Al coatings with high Al contents (80Ni–20Al, 85Ni–15Al, and 90Ni–10Al) were the anodic element of the couples, while, the 95Ni–5Al acted as the cathode element in the couple.     

The influence of Reynolds number on the galvanic corrosion of the copper/AISI 304 pair in aqueous LiBr solutions

The influence of Reynolds number on the galvanic corrosion of the copper/AISI 304 stainless steel pair in a concentrated lithium bromide solution was investigated according to the mixed potential theory. A hydraulic circuit was designed to study dynamic corrosion processes in situ. A potential relation between corrosion current density (i_corr) and Reynolds number (Re) was found for copper, showing a mixed control of a chemical step and mass transport through the corrosion products film with the predominance of the former. No dependence of i_corr on Re could be established for AISI 304, showing a chemical step control. Moreover, under stagnant conditions, partial passivation may occur in AISI 304; however, under flowing conditions passivation is not possible. Copper is the anodic element of the pair under all flowing conditions analysed. The galvanic phenomenon is more important as Re increases, but the results show compatibility of both materials at all Re values analysed. Similarly, a potential relation between galvanic current density (i_G) and Re was found, showing a mixed control of a chemical step and mass transport with the predominance of the latter. Copper corrosion resistance decreases more rapidly as Re increases due to the AISI 304 galvanic effect: there is a synergy between the galvanic effect and the hydrodynamic conditions. Under stagnant conditions, the galvanic behaviour of the materials is close to the compatibility limit and an inversion of the anodic element of the galvanic pair takes place.     

Investigating corrosion processes in the micrometric range: A SVET study of the galvanic corrosion of zinc coupled with iron

The galvanic corrosion of an iron/zinc pair immersed in aqueous 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution has been investigated by using the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). In this way, investigations in the micrometer range of the progress of the electrochemical reactions involved in galvanic process were performed. The anodic oxidation process is observed to be initiated on the zinc sample in a localized manner, whereas the cathodic reaction involving the electroreduction of dissolved oxygen is homogeneously distributed over the iron sample. This later process is the rate determining step in the overall corrosion process, as demonstrated by the changes in the ionic and galvanic currents measured in the system when the area of the iron specimen is varied relative to that of zinc. The occurrence of coupled chemical reactions in the solution phase involving the products of the corrosion reactions could also be deduced from the integration of the ionic currents measured for each half-reaction during a SVET scan. Thus, the corrosion processes involved in the galvanic coupling of iron and zinc have been further understood by using this microelectrochemical technique appropriately, helping to better interpret large scale measurements.     

Galvanic coupling between copper and aluminium in a thin-layer cell

The Al/Cu coupling was investigated in a thin-layer cell formed by a large Cu electrode and an Al microelectrode embedded in an insulator placed above the Cu electrode. By using a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) the thickness of the thin layer was perfectly controlled with a precision in the micrometer range. A copper deposit on an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) was also used as SECM substrate to quantify the copper dissolution rate. It was shown that such an experimental set-up allows to mimic the galvanic corrosion of intermetallic particles embedded in the aluminium matrix of the 2XXX series aluminium alloys. The combination of the SECM and the EQCM permitted the evaluation of the corrosion rate of copper at the corrosion potential of the 2024 Al alloy, whereas cyclic voltammetry performed on the SECM tip indicated the enrichment in Cu²⁺ ions in the thin electrolyte layer.     

Electrochemical noise analysis: detection of electrode asymmetry

One major application of electrochemical noise (EN) analysis for corrosion studies is the estimation of corrosion rate via impedance measurement. The measurement involves coupling two electrodes, whereupon the associated EN is measured and the noise resistance and the spectral noise impedance are computed. However, the two electrodes are required to be “nominally identical” (i.e. symmetrical) for the noise resistance and spectral impedance techniques to be valid. This paper proposes that the correlation between the measured potential and the current noise can be used to detect an asymmetric electrode pair and thus provides a necessary but not sufficient test for electrode symmetry. The potential/current coefficient of correlation is derived based on an equivalent circuit to demonstrate the concept and experimental data is presented to support the theory.     

Relations between sample preparation and SKPFM Volta potential maps on an EN AW-6005 aluminium alloy

Quantitative measurements of the chemical composition and the local Volta potential contrast on metal surfaces can be performed with sub-micrometer resolution using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM). Sample preparation techniques based on metal removal by mechanical and electrochemical polishing, OPS and ion-sputtering, may distort the local chemical composition or microstructure on the surface. Surfaces with insignificant mechanical and chemical distortions can be produced by ultramicrotomy. Ultramicrotomy gives quantitatively reliable SEM and SKPFM results when applied on extruded samples of an EN AW-6005 aluminium alloy.     

Electrochemical behaviour of cermet coatings with a bond coat on Al7075: Pseudopassivity, localized corrosion and galvanic effect considerations in a saline environment

The behaviour of an HVOF WC-17Co/Ni-5Al coating on Al7075 in aqueous NaCl is investigated. The coating susceptibility to localized corrosion depended on the potential of polarization reversal. A two-stage pseudopassivity was observed for WC-17Co: At low overpotentials, oxidation occurred in the binder leading to surface films composed of anhydrous Co- and W-oxides. At high overpotentials, oxidation extended to the carbide phase leading to the formation of hydrated WO₃ films. Ni-5Al notably reduced the galvanic effect between WC-17Co and Al7075, whereas it hindered corrosion propagation into the substrate. The coating showed a high corrosion resistance during salt spraying for 49 days.     

Electrochemical evaluation of under-deposit corrosion and its inhibition using the wire beam electrode method

A new experimental method has been applied to evaluate under-deposit corrosion and its inhibition by means of an electrochemically integrated multi-electrode array, namely the wire beam electrode (WBE). Maps showing galvanic current and corrosion potential distributions were measured from a WBE surface that was partially covered by sand. Under-deposit corrosion did not occur during the exposure of the WBE to carbon dioxide saturated brine under ambient temperature. The introduction of corrosion inhibitor imidazoline and oxygen into the brine was found to significantly affect the patterns and rates of corrosion, leading to the initiation of under-deposit corrosion over the WBE.     

Corrosion properties of Nd:YAG laser-GMA hybrid welded AA6061 Al alloy and its microstructure

The paper presents the corrosion behaviour of the Nd:YAG laser-gas metal arc (GMA) welds of AA6061-T6 alloy. The laser-GMA hybrid welding enhances the corrosion susceptibility of AA6061 alloy. The surface morphology observation and composition analysis were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. An increasing of the precipitate phase is observed in the weld fusion zone (WFZ). The WFZ suffers more severe pitting and cracks are associated with pitting. It is proposed that the increased precipitate phase increases the galvanic corrosion couples and results in the aggravation of pitting and cracking in the WFZ.     

The effect of temperature on the galvanic corrosion of the copper/AISI 304 pair in LiBr solutions under hydrodynamic conditions

The corrosion behaviour of copper and AISI 304 stainless steel and the galvanic corrosion generated by the copper/AISI 304 pair, have been studied by electrochemical methods. These materials have been tested in an 850 g/L LiBr solution at different temperatures (25-75 °C) and at different Reynolds numbers (1456-5066) in order to study their performance in absorption machines. Results show that copper was always the anodic element of the pair and its corrosion resistance decreases due to the AISI 304 stainless steel galvanic effect. Galvanic corrosion increases with temperature and Reynolds number. However, it was proved that the effect of temperature on galvanic corrosion is more influential than the Reynolds number effect. This fact is also certain for corrosion of uncoupled copper and for corrosion of AISI 304 stainless steel. Experimental values of the corrosion current densities fit well the Arrhenius plot at all the Reynolds numbers analysed and a potential relation between the corrosion current densities and the Reynolds number has been found.     

Heterogeneous corrosion of mild steel under SRB-biofilm characterised by electrochemical mapping technique

Heterogeneous corrosion of mild steel under sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB)-biofilm was characterised by wire beam electrode (WBE) technique and electrochemical impedance spectrum. The potential/current distributions of the WBE under SRB-biofilm showed that the potential maps could not indicate the localised corrosion of steels beneath biofilm due to the fact that all wire electrodes were short-circuited by the highly conductive sulphide precipitates embedded in SRB-biofilm. Instead, the galvanic current maps may give a good indication. The characteristic of super-capacitance (0.21 F/cm²) of SRB-biofilm was attributed to the huge specific surface area of conductive pore walls inside biofilm.     

Influence of steel-concrete interface condition on galvanic corrosion currents in carbonated concrete

This paper presents specific experiments which were developed in order to assess galvanic currents in macrocell corrosion specimens involving active steel in carbonated concrete and passive steel in sound concrete. The influence of the steel-concrete interface condition on the galvanic current was also experimentally investigated. To focus on macrocell corrosion rate assessment, the initiation time of the corrosion process (concrete carbonation) was accelerated. FEM simulations were carried out in order to enhance the physical comprehension of these corrosion experiments. It was found that, in realistic condition, the electrical coupling of active and passive steel areas leads to high galvanic currents and consequently high corrosion levels according to RILEM recommendation. Moreover, steel-concrete interfacial defaults significantly increase the macrocell driving potential and, therefore, the galvanic corrosion current.     

Use of SVET and SECM to study the galvanic corrosion of an iron-zinc cell

The work makes use of the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) to investigate microscopic aspects of the electrochemical reactions that occur in an iron-zinc galvanic couple immersed in aqueous sodium chloride solution. Detection of the corrosion processes was made by sensing the phenomena occurring in solution. The SVET provided information on the distribution of ionic currents arising from the metal surface, whereas the SECM measured the concentration of chemical species relevant to the corrosion processes. The two techniques had comparable sensitivity for the corrosion of iron but significant differences were observed concerning the detection of corrosion of zinc.     

Electrochemical noise analysis of PbSCC of Alloy 600 SG tube in caustic environments at high temperature

An electrochemical noise (EN) monitoring technique was applied to analyse an initiation and a propagation of Pb-assisted stress corrosion cracking (PbSCC) of Alloy 600 material in a simulated environment of steam generator (SG) sludge piles at high temperature. A typical electrochemical potential decrease concurrent with a current increase was observed during the EN measurements, indicating the occurrence of localized corrosion events. The EN data were analysed for the processes of a uniform corrosion, an initiation and a propagation of PbSCC using a stochastic theory and microscopy.     

In-situ investigation on the pitting corrosion behavior of friction stir welded joint of AA2024-T3 aluminium alloy

The surface corrosion behavior of an AA2024-T3 aluminium alloy sheet after friction stir welding was investigated by using an “in-situ observation” method. SEM observations showed that the density and degree of the pitting corrosion in the shoulder active zone were slightly larger compared to the other regions on the top surface. The origins of the pitting corrosion were in the regions between the S phase particles and the adjacent aluminium base. The effect of Al-Cu-Fe-Mn-(Si) intermetallic compounds on the pitting corrosion was attributed to their high self-corrosion potential which induced the anodic dissolution of the surrounding aluminium matrix.     

Effect of microcrystallization on pitting corrosion of pure aluminium

A microcrystalline aluminium film with grain size of about 400 nm was prepared by magnetron sputtering technique. Its corrosion behaviour was investigated in NaCl containing acidic solution by means of potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical noise (EN). The polarization results indicated that the corrosion potential of the sample shifted towards more positive direction, while its corrosion current density decreased compared with that of pure coarse-grain Al. The EN analysis based on stochastic model demonstrated that there existed two kinds of effect of microcrystallization on the pitting behaviour of pure aluminium: (1) the rate of pit initiation is accelerated, (2) the pit growth process was impeded. This leads to the enhancement of pitting resistance for the microcrystallized aluminium.     

Corrosion and impressed current cathodic protection of copper-based materials using a bimetallic rotating cylinder electrode (BRCE)

A bimetallic rotating cylinder electrode (having individual electrode areas of 10 cm² and rotating at 200-1400 rpm) has been used to examine the corrosion and protection characteristics of copper/nickel aluminium bronze and 90-10 copper-nickel/nickel aluminium bronze galvanic couples in filtered seawater at 25 °C. The flow-influenced electrochemistry of the systems was determined using zero resistance ammetry, corrosion potential measurements and a potential step current transient technique. In each case, the galvanic corrosion potential and corrosion rate displayed a Reynolds number dependency where mass transport control of the anodic dissolution reaction partially controlled the reaction rate. Bimetallic impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) has also been demonstrated for a range of applied protection potentials and Reynolds numbers. A comparison has been made between the directly measured bimetallic ICCP current demand and that determined from independent, single-metal rotating cylinder electrode measurements. In this case, the mixed charge and mass transport controlled rate of oxygen reduction was examined.     

Influence of silicon on the corrosion behaviour of Al–Zn–In–Mg–Ti sacrificial anode

The influence of Si on the corrosion behaviour of Al–5Zn–0.03In–1Mg–0.05Ti (wt.%) alloy was investigated by the microstructure observation and electrochemical measurements in order to improve its corrosion non-uniform and electrochemical properties. The main precipitates in Al–5Zn–0.03In–1Mg–0.05Ti–0.1Si (wt.%) alloy is Mg₂Si phase, which decrease the galvanic corrosion because the potential difference between Mg₂Si and a-Al is smaller than that between MgZn₂ and a-Al. The addition of Si improves the corrosion uniformity of the anode due to the fine equiaxed grains and grain boundaries where Mg₂Si particles uniformly distributed. The results indicate that the microstructure, electrochemical characteristics and corrosion uniformity can be improved significantly after adding 0.1 wt.% Si into Al–5Zn–0.03In–1Mg–0.05Ti (wt.%) alloy.