Preparation and oxidation protection of CVD SiC/a-BC/SiC coatings for 3D C/SiC composites

An amorphous boron carbide (a-BC) coating was prepared by LPCVD process from BCl₃-CH₄-H₂-Ar system. XPS result showed that the boron concentration was 15.0 at.%, and carbon was 82.0 at.%. One third of boron was distributed to a bonding with carbon and 37.0 at.% was dissolved in graphite lattice. A multiple-layered structure of CVD SiC/a-BC/SiC was coated on 3D C/SiC composites. Oxidation tests were conducted at 700, 1000, and 1200 °C in 14 vol.% H₂O/8 vol.% O₂/78 vol.% Ar atmosphere up to 100 h. The 3D C/SiC composites with the modified coating system had a good oxidation resistance. This resulted in the high strength retained ratio of the composites even after the oxidation.     

Microstructure and oxidation resistance of Si–Mo–B coating for C/SiC coated carbon/carbon composites

A self-sealing Si–Mo–B oxidation resistance coating was prepared on C/SiC coated carbon/carbon (C/C) composites by slurry and high temperature treatment method. The oxidation resistance of the coating increases at 1173 K and first increases then decreases at 1873 K with the increase of B content from 0 to 20 wt.%. The C/SiC/gradient Si–Mo–B multilayer coating can protect C/C composite from oxidation for 100 h at 1173 K and 125 h at 1873 K. The good oxidation resistance of the coating in broad temperature range could be attributed to its good self-sealing property.     

C/SiC/MoSi2–Si multilayer coatings for carbon/carbon composites for protection against oxidation

To improve the oxidation resistance of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, a C/SiC/MoSi₂–Si multilayer oxidation protective coating was prepared by slurry and pack cementation. The microstructure of the as-prepared coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The isothermal oxidation and erosion resistance of the coating was investigated in electrical furnace and high temperature wind tunnel. The results showed that the multilayer coating could effectively protect C/C composites from oxidation in air for 300 h at 1773 K and 103 h at 1873 K, and the coated samples was fractured after erosion for 27 h at 1873 K h in wind tunnel. The weight loss of the coated specimens was considered to be caused by the formation of penetration cracks in the coating. The fracture of the coated C/C composites might result from the excessive local stress in the coating.     

The effect of H2S concentration on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel at 90 °C

The electrochemical behavior of SAE-1020 carbon steel in 0.25 M Na₂SO₄ solution containing different concentrations of H₂S at 90 °C was investigated using the methods of weight loss, electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the corrosion rate of carbon steel increased significantly with the increase of H₂S concentration. H₂S accelerated the corrosion rate of SAE-1020 carbon steel by a promoted hydrogen evolution reaction. Severe corrosion cavities were observed on the carbon steel surface in the solutions containing H₂S due to cementites stripped off from the grain boundary. The loose corrosion products formed on the steel surfaces were composed of mackinawite.     

A modified dual-layer SiC oxidation protective coating for carbon/carbon composites prepared by one-step pack cementation

To improve the oxidation resistance of SiC coating produced by pack cementation for carbon/carbon composites, a modified SiC coating has been produced by one-step pack cementation by adding ferrocene in pack compositions. The as-received coating exhibited a dual-layer dense structure, and oxidation protective ability of SiC coating could be improved by introducing ferrocene. The modified coating could protect C/C composites from oxidation for more than 100 h at 1673 K in air. The weight loss of the coated C/C composites was considered to arise from deflection of penetrating cracks formed in outer layer from inner layer to C/C matrix.     

Corrosion of Zircaloy-4 and its welds in nitric acid medium

Zirconium and its alloys are considered as candidate materials for various applications in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants involving nitric acid of various concentrations at different temperatures. In the present work an attempt was made to study the corrosion behaviour of Zircaloy-4 (Zr-with Sn-1.5%, Fe-0.22%, Cr-0.1%) in wrought and welded forms in comparison with other candidate materials like commercially pure Titanium (CP-Ti), Ti-5%Ta and Ti-5%Ta-2%Nb. Manual TIG welding and electron beam welding was carried out with Zircaloy-4 pipes of 5 mm thick and 120 mm diameter, and radiography was made for choosing defect-free regions for making samples for corrosion investigations. Three phase corrosion testing in liquid, vapour and condensate regions was conducted in boiling 11.5 M nitric acid medium using a specially designed experimental set up. The results indicated that Zircaloy-4 exhibit superior corrosion resistance in both wrought and welded conditions in comparison with other materials. The electron beam welded samples did not show any deterioration and performed similar to wrought alloy. The detailed results of microstructure, microhardness, corrosion rate, morphology of attack and nature of surface film formed are presented in this paper. The results of the present investigation indicated that Zircaloy-4 could be a candidate material for nitric acid medium of high concentration and temperature in reprocessing plants and other industries.     

Corrosion behavior of iron-aluminum alloys and its composite steel in sulfuric acid

The corrosion behavior of an iron-aluminum alloy with bcc structure and a composite of an iron-aluminum and a steel was studied in H₂SO₄ solution. The corrosion resistance deteriorates with increasing aluminum content of an iron-aluminum alloy. XPS measurements showed a magnetite formation on the corroded surface and a preferential corrosion of iron. The corrosion resistance for the composite of an iron-aluminum alloy and a CrMo steel is comparable to that of a CrMo steel. This implies that a corrosion-resistant composite is achievable by controlling the aluminum content of the Fe-Al alloy without the additives.     

A study on the initial corrosion behavior of carbon steel exposed to outdoor wet-dry cyclic condition

The initial corrosion behavior of carbon steel subjected to outdoor wet-dry cyclic exposure and exposure under natural environments have been investigated. The weight loss results indicate a transition from corrosion acceleration to deceleration during the early stage of corrosion of carbon steel under both conditions. The corrosion kinetics under both conditions follow empirical equation D = Atⁿ. Outdoor wet-dry cyclic exposure significantly promoted the initiation but the rate of corrosion was about three times as fast. The morphology of corrosion surfaces and cross-section of rust layer have been examined using SEM and the compositions have been analyzed using XRD and EPMA.     

Oxidation and corrosion of silicon nitride ceramics with different sintering additives at 1200 and 1500 °C in air, water vapour, SO2 and HCl environments - A comparative study

The effect of different sintering additives on the high temperature oxidation and corrosion behaviour of silicon nitride based ceramics was investigated. Comparative tests were conducted at 1200 and 1500 °C in air, in water vapour, and with the highly corrosive gases HCl and SO₂. Si₃N₄ was prepared with MgO, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ + Y₂O₃ sintering additives. Hot pressed discs were tested for a total time of up to 128 h. The electrically conductive ceramic composites Si₃N₄ + TiN and Si₃N₄ + MoSi₂ were also tested under the same conditions. The effects that the different corrosion environments have on the different ceramics are presented. SEM studies of the oxidised ceramics show the direct transformation of Si₃N₄ grains into SiO₂ through a reaction interface layer.     

Sodium phthalamates as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in aqueous hydrochloric acid solution

Three compounds of N-alkyl-sodium phthalamates were synthesized and tested as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 0.5 M aqueous hydrochloric acid. Tests showed that inhibitor efficiencies were related to aliphatic chain length and dependent on concentration. N-1-n-tetradecyl-sodium phthalamate displayed moderate efficiency against uniform corrosion, 42–86% at 25 °C and 25–60% at 40 °C. Tests indicated that compounds behave as mixed type inhibitors where molecular adsorption on steel followed Langmuir isotherm, whereas thermodynamic suggested that a physisorption process occurred. XPS analysis confirmed film formation on surface, where Fe⁺² complexes and Fe⁺² chelates with phthalamates prevented steel from further corrosion.     

Inhibitory effect of some amino acids on corrosion of Pb-Ca-Sn alloy in sulfuric acid solution

The present article describes the inhibition effect of amino acids cysteine (Cys), methionine (Met) and alanine (Ala), towards the corrosion of lead-alloy (Pb-Ca-Sn) in H₂SO₄ solution by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), weight loss measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The influence of inhibitor concentration, temperature and time on inhibitory behavior of the amino acids was investigated. The corrosion data including corrosion current density (I_corr), corrosion potential (E_corr) and charge transfer resistance (R_ct) were determined from Tafel plots and EIS. Recording impedance spectra showed that the charge transfer resistance is increased by increasing adsorption time. The SEM micrographs revealed that the corroded surface area is decreased in the presence of amino acids. Meanwhile, the inhibition efficiency (IE) was found to be depending on the type of amino acid and its concentration. The IE for 0.1 M Cys in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ is greater than 96%. Adsorption isotherms were fitted by Langmuir isotherm.     

Chromium–palladium films on 316L stainless steel by pulse electrodeposition and their corrosion resistance in hot sulfuric acid solutions

Chromium–palladium alloy films with good adhesive strength and higher micro-hardness have been deposited on 316L stainless steel by pulse electroplating. The films are composed mainly of chromium and palladium crystallites in the metallic state, with grain sizes less than 100 nm. On the film surface Cr(OH)₃ and Cr₂O₃ are present. The co-deposited Cr and Pd in the films show a synergetic effect on passivation. In boiling 20 wt.% H₂SO₄ solution, boiling acetic–formic acid mixture, and simulated PEM fuel cells environment, the Cr–Pd-plated 316L steel shows excellent corrosion resistance.     

Ablation behavior of ZrB2–SiC–ZrO2 ceramic composites by means of the oxyacetylene torch

Ablation behavior of ZrB₂–SiC–ZrO₂ ceramics with two ZrO₂ contents was investigated using oxyacetylene torch. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that ceramic with 10 vol% ZrO₂ showed initial weight change at higher temperature than the one with 20 vol% ZrO₂. After same ablation condition, lighter oxidized microstructure and lower weight loss and line gain were obtained from ceramic with 10 vol% ZrO₂. Ablation mechanism revealed that excessive ZrO₂ would supply much path to the inward transport of oxygen, which led to the dissatisfactory resistance to oxidation and ablation for the ceramic with 20 vol% ZrO₂.     

Erosion resistance of CO2 corrosion scales formed on API P110 carbon steel

The erosion resistance of CO₂ corrosion scales formed on carbon steel was investigated in water–sand two-phase flow utilizing weight loss test, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The effects of CO₂ partial pressure, stirring speed, test time, and grain size on the erosion resistance of the scales were analysed. Results show that several characteristics of CO₂ corrosion scales are key factors affecting erosion resistance. Cubic polynomials are used to fit the erosion rate data, and effectively evaluate the ability of CO₂ corrosion scales to resist erosion. An erosion mechanism, based on fluid dynamics and CO₂ corrosion scales characteristics, is discussed.     

Atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel in Colombia

The corrosion behaviour of carbon steel at six test sites in Colombia and its relationship with exposure time and environmental characteristics of each site were investigated. The corrosion products were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. It was found that in Barranquilla, the most aggressive site, corrosion depends mainly on chlorides. Furthermore, in the more aggressive environments there was a greater tendency to formation of protective corrosion products. Lepidocrocite and goethite were found as major constituents of rust. A structure not reported in the literature was found, corresponding to strings of several hundred micrometers long and consisting of lepidocrocite plates.     

Resistance to oxidation and ablation of SiC coating on graphite prepared by chemical vapor reaction

A thick SiC coating was prepared on graphite by chemical vapor reaction. The coating reveals a typical crystalline structure with limited porosity and combines well with the substrate. Oxidation tests demonstrate that the coating has a weak self-healing ability at 1100 K and good self-healing ability at temperatures from 1623 to 1823 K. An oxyacetylene torch test verifies that the prepared coating can effectively protect graphite from ablation for 50 s. After the ablation test, the silica microspheres and other interesting silica structures such as microwires, microparticles, microflowers, nanowires and nanoparticles are formed at the ablation center and its surroundings.     

Effect of carbon nanotubes on corrosion of Mg-CNT composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be added to Mg matrix to produce composites of better mechanical properties, but their effect on the corrosion behaviour is not well understood. The corrosion resistance of pure Mg and its composites reinforced with 0.3 and 1.3 wt.% CNTs was studied in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution using immersion testing and electrochemical measurements. It was found that the corrosion rate was increased considerably by the presence of CNTs because of microgalvanic action between the cathodic CNTs and the anodic Mg matrix.     

Corrosion of hot pressed Si3N4-TiN composite in sulphuric acid aqueous solution

The corrosion behaviour of an electroconductive Si₃N₄-35 vol% TiN composite, hot pressed with the addition of Al₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ as sintering aids, was studied in 1.8 M sulphuric acid aqueous solution at RT, 40 and 70 °C up to 400 h. The corrosion follows linear kinetics at RT and at 40 °C, involving only the progressive chemical dissolution of grain boundary phases, in the system Al-Y-Si-Ti-O-N. Chemical attack of TiN occurs at 70 °C, while Si₃N₄ is not affected by the selected corrosive environment.The effect of the corrosion on flexural strength, fracture toughness and electrical resistivity were investigated. Very high strength levels are maintained after corrosion for 400 h at room temperature, while the strength decreases of about 10% and 16% after the treatment at 40 and 70 °C, respectively. The electrical resistivity rises after corrosion at 40 and 70 °C, in line with the progressive chemical dissolution of the conductive TiN particles.     

The effects of Aloe vera extract on corrosion and kinetics of corrosion process of zinc in HCl solution

The effect of the extract of Aloe vera leaves on the corrosion of zinc in 2 M HCl solution was studied using weight loss technique. A. vera extract inhibited the corrosion of zinc in 2 M HCl solution and the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentration of the extract but decreased with increasing temperature. The adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on zinc surface was in accordance with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. A first-order kinetics relationship with respect to zinc was obtained with and without the extract from the kinetics treatment of the data.     

Electrochemical effect of cationic gemini surfactant and halide salts on corrosion inhibition of low carbon steel in acid medium

In this paper, the corrosion inhibition of cationic gemini surfactant, in the absence and presence of halide salts (NaCl, NaBr and NaI) on steel in HCl was investigated at 20 ± 1 °C. The effects of pH, immersion time and salt concentration on the corrosion inhibition of steel were studied using weight loss, open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Inhibition efficiency increases by increasing surfactant concentration. Synergistic effect between surfactant and salts was studied. The inhibition efficiency increases by increasing salt concentration. This composite inhibitor containing gemini surfactant and halide was efficient and low-cost for steel corrosion inhibition in HCl.