Effects of hydrogen on the anodic behavior of Alloy 690 at 60 °C

Polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, Mott-Schottky (M-S) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the effects of hydrogen on the anodic behavior of a one-dimensionally (1D) 25% cold worked (CW) Alloy 690 thermal treated (TT) in a boric acid and sodium sulphate solution at 60 °C. The pre-hydrogen-charged specimen exhibited a higher anodic current than that of the uncharged specimen below the transpassive potential. The charged hydrogen can be trapped in the metal. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the resistance capacitance loop of the hydrogen-charged specimen was significantly smaller than that of the uncharged specimen. Mott-Schottky analyses indicated that the passive film formed on Alloy 690 at −0.2 V_SCE was an n-type semiconductor, with a p-n hetero-junction at 0.2 V_SCE. Charged hydrogen increased the carrier density and the thickness of the passive film both at −0.2 V_SCE and 0.2 V_SCE. The Ni/Cr ratio in the surface film decreased after hydrogen charging, indicating that charged hydrogen could enhance the oxide film growth by increasing the OH⁻ (O²⁻) concentrations through its reaction with vacancies.     

Prevention of passive film breakdown on iron in a borate buffer solution containing chloride ion by coverage with a self-assembled monolayer of hexadecanoate ion

Breakdown of a passive film on iron in a borate buffer solution (pH 8.49) containing 0.1 M of Cl⁻ was suppressed by coverage of the passive film surface with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of hexadecanoate ion C₁₅H₃₁CO₂⁻ (C₁₆A⁻). The pitting potential of an iron electrode previously passivated in the borate buffer at 0.50 V/SCE increased by treatment in an aqueous solution of sodium hexadecanoate for many hours, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown caused by an attack on defects of the film with Cl⁻. No breakdown occurred over the potential range of the passive region by coverage with the SAM of C₁₆A⁻ in some cases. Structures of the passive film and the monolayer were characterized by X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopies and contact angle measurement with a drop of water.     

Direct modification of a passivated iron electrode with alkyltriethoxysilanes for preventing passive film breakdown in a borate buffer containing 0.1 M of chloride ion

A passive film on an iron electrode was modified with alkyltriethoxysilanes directly. In order to examine the protective ability of the modified passive film against breakdown, the pitting potential, E_pit was measured by anodic polarization of the modified electrode in a borate buffer solution (pH 8.49) containing 0.1 M of Cl⁻. The value of E_pit for the modified electrode shifted in the positive direction from that of the unmodified electrode, indicating prevention of passive film breakdown. The modified passive film was not broken down in the passive and transpassive regions of polarization curve in some cases. However, many current spikes appeared in the all curves of the modified electrodes. The modified surface of passivated electrode was characterized by X-ray photoelectron and FTIR reflection spectroscopies and contact angle measurement. There were defects and clusters of associated water within the modified film and hence, Cl⁻ could permeate through the defects, leading to appearance of current spikes and occurrence of breakdown.     

Depassivation-repassivation behavior of type-312L stainless steel in NaCl solution investigated by the micro-indentation

Repassivation behavior of type-312L stainless steel containing 6% of molybdenum was examined in NaCl solution using in situ micro-indentation technique, together with type-304 and 316L stainless steels. High stability of the passive film formed on the type-312L stainless steel was also examined by depth profiling analysis of passive films using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). In 0.9 mol dm⁻³ NaCl solution at 296 K the type-304 and 316L stainless steels are passive only up to 0.3 V (SHE), above which pitting corrosion occurs. In contrast, no pitting corrosion occurs on type-312L stainless steel. Despite the significant difference of the pitting corrosion resistance, the repassivation kinetics of the three stainless steels, examined by micro-indentation at 0.3 V (SHE), is similar. The presence of molybdenum in the stainless steel does not influence the repassivation kinetics. The charge required to repassivate the ruptured type-312L stainless steel surface increases approximately linearly with the potential, even though the passivity-maintaining current increased markedly at potentials close to the transpassive region. Repassivation occurs without accompanying significant dissolution of steel, regardless of the stability of passive state. Depth profiling analyses of the passive films on the type-312L stainless steels formed at several potentials revealed that molybdenum species enrich in the outer layer of the passive film, below which chromium-enriched layer is present. The permeation of chloride ions may be impeded by the outer layer containing molybdate, enhancing the resistance against the localized corrosion of the type-312L stainless steel.     

Breakdown of passive film on nickel in borate solutions containing halide anions

The effect of Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ anions as aggressive agents on the anodic behaviour of nickel electrode in deaerated Na₂B₄O₇ solutions have been investigated by galvanostatic polarization technique. Lower concentrations of the halide anions have no effect on the mechanism of nickel passivation. An increase in the halide anions concentration causes oscillation of the potential in the oxygen evolution region. This could be attributed to the destruction of the passivity by halide anions and repassivation of the film by anodic current and/or OH⁻ anions. Higher aggressive anion concentrations cause breakdown of the passive film and initiated pitting corrosion. As the temperature increases, the breakdown potential is shifted towards the more negative direction. On the other hand, as the pH of the solution increases, the breakdown potential is shifted toward more positive direction, indicating increased protection of the passive film. The activation energy, , of the oxide film formation in the presence of Cl⁻ anions was calculated and was found to be 21 kJ/mol.     

Passivation oxide film on Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets in borate buffer solution by ellipsometry

The passivation of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet was investigated in neutral borate solution at pH 8.4. The thickness of the passive oxide film on the magnets was measured by ellipsometry and the composition was estimated by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES).The passivation of the magnets takes place in the potential range between −0.2 and 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl/Sat. KCl. In the potential range, current density decays to the lower than 10⁻⁶ A cm⁻² after potentiostatic oxidation for 1800 s. The passive oxide film growth is assumed to be optically simulated from a model with a homogeneous film with complex refractive index, N = 2.1 − j0.086. The thickness estimated from the refractive index linearly increases with potential from 3.6 nm at −0.2 V to 7.8 nm at 1.0 V. The passive film growth follows the ionic migration model under high electric field, i.e., the Cabrera-Mott growth model. The ionic conductivity estimated from the model is about κ = 1.7 × 10⁻¹⁶ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The passive oxide film is preferentially composed of iron oxide/hydroxide. Boron and neodymium are, respectively, concentrated at the surface of the oxide film and at the inner layer in the oxide film.     

Pitting corrosion behaviour of austenitic stainless steels - combining effects of Mn and Mo additions

Mn and Mo were introduced in AISI 304 and 316 stainless steel composition to modify their pitting corrosion resistance in chloride-containing media. Corrosion behaviour was investigated using gravimetric tests in 6 wt.% FeCl₃, as well as potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization measurements in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. Additionally, the mechanism of the corrosion attack developed on the material surface was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray mapping and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The beneficial effect of Mo additions was assigned to Mo⁶⁺ presence within the passive film, rendering it more stable against breakdown caused by attack of aggressive Cl⁻ ions, and to the formation of Mo insoluble compounds in the aggressive pit environment facilitating the pit repassivation. Conversely, Mn additions exerted an opposite effect, mainly due to the presence of MnS inclusions which acted as pitting initiators.     

In vitro corrosion degradation behaviour of Mg-Ca alloy in the presence of albumin

The in vitro degradation behaviour of Mg-Ca alloy was studied in the presence of albumin by in-situ observation, hydrogen evolution method and various electrochemical techniques. The corrosion and hydrogen evolution rates decreased and the formation of filiform corrosion induced by Cl⁻ was also significantly inhibited due to the adsorption of albumin molecule. Moreover, the higher the concentration of albumin, the higher is the inhibitive effect. The EIS results further show that addition of albumin enhanced the charge transfer resistance and film resistance at the open-circuit potential. The synergistic effect of the negatively charged adsorbed albumin molecule and OH⁻ has been discussed.     

Corrosion behavior of glassy Ni55Co5Nb20Ti10Zr10 alloy in 1 N HCl solution studied by potentiostatic polarization and XPS

Corrosion resistance of glassy Ni₅₅Co₅Nb₂₀Ti₁₀Zr₁₀ (at.%) alloy in 1 N HCl solution was investigated with respect to the electrochemical behavior and the compositions of the passive film and the underlying alloy surface just below the passive film. The potentiostatic polarization curve indicated that the alloy was spontaneously passivated with a low passive current density of the order of 10⁻³ A m⁻². The quantitative X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the thickness of the surface film increased linearly with an anodizing ratio of 1.5 nm V⁻¹. The high corrosion resistance of the glassy alloy was due to the formation of niobium, titanium and zirconium-enriched passive film. The growth mechanism of the passive films is also discussed.     

On the corrosion behaviour of phosphoric irons in simulated concrete pore solution

The corrosion behaviour of three phosphoric irons P₁ (Fe-0.11P-0.028C), P₂ (Fe-0.32P-0.026C) and P₃ (Fe-0.49P-0.022C) has been studied in simulated concrete pore solution (saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution) containing different chloride concentration. This has been compared with that of two commercial concrete reinforcement steels, a low carbon steel TN (Fe-0.148C-0.542Mn-0.128Si) and a microalloyed corrosion resistant steel CS (Fe-0.151C-0.088P-0.197Si-0.149Cr-0.417Cu). The beneficial aspect of phosphoric irons was revealed from potentiodynamic polarization experiments. The pitting potentials and pitting nucleation resistances for phosphoric irons and CS were higher than that for TN. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies revealed thickening and growth of passive film as a function of time in case of phosphoric irons and CS in saturated Ca(OH)₂ pore solutions without chloride and in the same solution with 0.05% Cl⁻ and 0.1% Cl⁻. In case of TN, breakdown of passive film resulted in active corrosion in simulated pore solution containing 0.1% Cl⁻. Linear polarization resistance measurements complemented EIS results. Visual observations indicated that phosphoric iron P₃ was immune to corrosion even after 125 days of immersion in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution containing 5% NaCl. The good corrosion resistance of phosphoric irons in simulated concrete pore solution containing chloride ions has been related to the formation of phosphate, based on ultraviolet spectrophotometric analysis and Pourbaix diagram of phosphorus-water system.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on the pitting resistance of 316L stainless steel in synthetic tap water

This study examined the effect of L-ascorbic acid (A.A) concentration on the pitting corrosion properties of 316L stainless steel (316L STS) of heat exchanger in synthetic tap water containing 400 ppm of Cl- ion. The pitting corrosion of 316L STS can be effectively inhibited by the 10^-4 M of A.A concentration. In this condition, the adsorption of A.A reinforced the passive film of steel by blocking the Cl^- ions at the active site. However, the passive film was deteriorated and severe pitting corrosion occurred above the 10^-4 M of A.A concentration. Above the 10^-4 M of A.A concentration, A.A generates soluble chelate rather than absorbs on the steel surface and it causes passive film deterioration and severe pitting corrosion. The critical ratio, which is a critical ratio of surface coverage of aggressive to inhibitive ion necessary to initiate localized corrosion, calculated 2.93 up to the 10^-4 M. It has approximately 2.93:1 ratio of the coverage of local Cl^- ions to A.A. Above the critical ratio, the pitting corrosion will occur with degradation of the passive film. On the other hands, above the 10^-4 M A.A concentration caused a negative effect because the heat energy for adsorption is increased.     

Effects of temperature and aggressive anions on corrosion of carbon steel in potable water

Experiments on the corrosion of carbon steel in three kinds of artificial potable waters containing different concentrations of aggressive anions, Cl⁻ and , open to air in the temperature range from 5 to 60 °C were conducted using weight loss and electrochemical methods. The corrosion rate increased in proportion to the concentration of aggressive anions and with increasing temperature. At lower concentrations of aggressive anions and temperatures, the corrosion rate was lower and the corrosion potential was higher, at intermediate concentrations and temperatures, the corrosion rate increased logarithmically with decreasing potential, and at higher concentrations and temperatures, the corrosion rate was higher and the potential was lower. The corrosion behavior in potable water can be determined by the balance between inhibitive action of oxygen (passive film formation) and aggressive action of Cl⁻ and ions.     

Galvanostatic study of the breakdown of Zn passivity by sulphate anions

The anodic behavior of Zn electrode in Na₂SO₄ solutions was studied by galvanostatic polarization technique. The polarization curves are characterized by a distinct arrest corresponding to ZnO formation, after which the potential rises linearly with time up to a well-defined value, the breakdown potential, at which the potential drops with time, down to more negative direction. This denotes the destruction of the passive film and initiation of pitting corrosion. It was found that, the breakdown potential, the time consumed till the breakdown potential and the rate of potential rise with time depend on the sulphate anions concentration, solution temperature and magnitude of the imposed current density. Addition of increasing concentration of phosphate, molybdate, tungstate or chromate anions causes a shift of the breakdown potential into the noble direction, indicating the inhibitive effect of these anions. The inhibitive effect of these inhibitors decreases in the order: CrO₄²⁻ > WO₄²⁻ > MoO₄²⁻ > HPO₄²⁻.     

Brass corrosion in tap water distribution systems inhibited by phosphate ions

The effect of sodium orthophosphate on the protective characteristics of the surface layers are studied on brass in contact with moderately hard, highly carbonated and chloride rich simulated drinkable water. The optimal inhibitor concentration is evaluated from the composition, thickness and pitting resistance of the surface film. This layer is mainly composed by zinc(II) oxide–hydroxide and cuprous oxide. By adding PO₄³⁻, the film quality improves, attributed to the incorporation of CuO or Zn(II) compounds. The changes are evident with 5 mg l⁻¹ P, and between 10 and 20 mg l⁻¹ P no significant differences are observed.     

Self-assembled monolayers of carboxylate ions on passivated iron for preventing passive film breakdown

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of carboxylate ions C_n−1H_2n−1CO₂⁻ (C_nA⁻) with the carbon number, n=12-18 and 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ (HOC₁₆A⁻) were prepared on an iron electrode previously passivated in a borate buffer at pH 8.49 by treatment in aqueous solutions of their sodium salts for many hours. Breakdown of the passive film on the electrode coated with the SAM was examined by anodic polarization measurement in the borate buffer containing 0.1 M of Cl⁻. The pitting potentials of the passivated electrodes coated with the SAMs of C_nA⁻ and HOC₁₆A⁻ shifted toward a more positive potential than that of the uncoated electrode, indicating prevention of passive film breakdown by blocking diffusion of Cl⁻ through the SAM to defects of the passive film. No breakdown was observed over the potential range of the passive region by coverage of the passive film with the SAM in some cases. The SAMs on the passive film were characterized by contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopies.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyses of corrosion products formed on rock bolt carbon steel in chloride media with bicarbonate and silicate ions

The passivation behavior of Yucca Mountain Repository rock bolt carbon steel in deaerated 3.5% NaCl solution containing SiO₃²⁻ and HCO₃⁻ ions was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic methods. Polarization results indicate that combinations of silicate and bicarbonate anions decrease the passive current density and raise the pitting potential. XPS results indicate the enrichment of silica at passive potentials and the formation of mixed FeCO₃ and silica film at lower potentials. This change in film composition was responsible for the changes in corrosion rate at lower and higher potentials. XPS results also support the thermodynamic data with regard to the occurrence of second oxidation peak observed in the polarization curves to be due to the oxidation of FeCO₃ to Fe₂O₃.     

Electrochemical and XPS studies and the potential scan rate dependent pitting corrosion behavior of Zircaloy-2 in 5% NaCl solution

Electrochemical studies of Zircaloy-2 in 5% NaCl solution were carried out using polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Scan rate dependent pitting behavior of Zircaloy-2 was observed when polarization experiments were carried out at different scan rates (5 mV/min, 50 mV/min and 500 mV/min). Polarization resistance, double layer capacitance, and the thickness of passive film were calculated from the EIS study. The slope of the Bode plot in the capacitive region showed non-ideal behaviour, suggesting formation of pits. A distribution of chloride concentration was seen at the surface of the electrode when the test solution was sampled from different parts of the sample surface and analyzed for chloride. Inclusion of chloride ions in the passive film was observed from the XPS study and the chloride concentration increases with the higher anodic polarization. The outermost layer of the passive film was rich in hydroxide and oxy-hydroxide. A bi-layer passive film structure on the alloy surface is proposed.     

Depth profile analysis of thin passive films on stainless steel by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy

Thin passive films formed on highly corrosion-resistant type-312L stainless steel, containing 20 mass% chromium and 6 mass% molybdenum, in 2 mol dm⁻³ HCl solution at 293 K have been analyzed by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES). The stainless steel does not suffer pitting corrosion even in this aggressive solution, showing a wide passive potential region. The depth profiles obtained clearly show a two-layer structure of the air-formed and passive films: an outer iron-rich layer and an inner layer highly enriched in chromium. Alloy-constituting molybdenum is deficient in the inner layer of the passive films and is enriched in the outer layer, particularly at the active dissolution potential. The molybdenum species in the outer layer may retard the active dissolution of stainless steel, promoting the formation of stable passive films highly enriched in chromium. Chloride ions are present only at the outermost part of the passive films, not penetrating into the interior part.     

Electrochemical behaviour of microcrystalline aluminium in neutral fluoride containing solutions

The electrochemical behaviour of microcrystalline pure aluminium coating (mc-Al), fabricated by a magnetron sputtering technique, has been investigated in NaF as well as NaF + NaCl aqueous solutions. Results indicate that the anodic polarization characteristic changes with NaF concentration. F⁻ anions promote the formation of a passive film, whose semiconducting properties were investigated. When the F⁻ concentration is high ([F⁻] ? 0.03 mol/L) the passive film is mainly composed of aluminium fluoride, which is an n-type semiconductor on mc-Al and a p-type semiconductor on polycrystalline Al (pc-Al). In NaF + NaCl aqueous solutions, Cl⁻ and F⁻ ions compete in affecting the type of semiconducting passive films formed on mc-Al.     

Investigation of AISI 1040 steel corrosion in H2S solution containing chloride ions by digital image processing coupled with electrochemical techniques

This paper presents a study of AISI 1040 steel corrosion in aqueous electrolyte of acetic acid buffer containing 3.1 and 31 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ of Na₂S in both the presence and absence of 3.5 wt.% NaCl. This investigation of steel corrosion was carried out using potential polarization, and open-circuit and in situ optical microscopy. The morphological analysis and classification of types of surface corrosion damage by digital image processing reveals grain boundary corrosion and shows a non-uniform sulfide film growth, which occurs preferentially over pearlitic grains through successive formation and dissolution of the film.