Effect of Cr3+- based conversion films on the corrosion behaviour of electrodeposited composite ternary zinc alloys with embedded carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT

Composite ternary zinc-based alloys Zn-Ni-P and Zn-Fe-P containing embedded multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) were obtained electrochemically. They were treated additionally in an environmentally friendly chemical conversion solution for passivation based on Cr³⁺-compound. The surface morphology, chemical and phase composition of the coatings after their treatment in the passivating solution were determined by SEM, EDS and XRD analysis respectively. The corrosion behaviour of composite alloy deposits both with or without additional conversion film (CF) was investigated in a model corrosion medium of 5% NaCl using selected methods such as potentodynamic polarisation (PD) curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarisation resistance (R_p) measurements. The changes in the surface morphology and phase composition of the corrosion tested samples were determined by SEM and XRD analysis. The corrosion studies indicated that the presence of a CF leads to a delay in the anodic dissolution process during the polarisation.     

Electrochemical study on effect of Au,Ag, Pd and Pt on corrosion behaviour of Fe3Al in molten NaCl–KCl

The corrosion behaviour of Fe₃Al intermetallic alloyed with 1 at-%Ag, Au, Pt and Pd in NaCl–KCl (1∶1M) at 700°C, typical of waste gasification environments, has been evaluated using polarisation curves, linear polarisation resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and compared with an Ni based alloy, namely Inconel 600. Results have shown that, for short testing times, the addition of noble elements increased the corrosion rate for base Fe₃Al intermetallic alloy, but it was decreased for long testing times by forming a protective corrosion product layer. Additionally, base Fe₃Al intermetallic alloy had higher corrosion rates than Inconel 600.     

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour and surface morphology of electrodeposited zinc,zinc–cobalt and their composite coatings

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviour as well as the surface morphology characteristics of electrodeposited Zn and Zn-Co (≈3 wt-%) alloy coatings on low carbon steel samples, with and without included nanoparticles of organic co-polymers in their structure, are discussed. Their corrosion resistance and protective properties were studied in a model corrosion medium, 5 wt-% NaCl, using electrochemical methods such as polarisation resistance (R _p) measurements and potentiodynamic (PD) polarisation curves. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to examine the surface morphology changes of the samples before and after the corrosion treatment. Some conclusions are drawn about the influence and importance of the organic nanoparticles on the corrosion behaviour of the coatings presented.     

Corrosion behaviour of intermetallic aluminide coatings on nitrogen-containing austenitic stainless steels

The present work reports the effect of aluminide layers on the aqueous corrosion behaviour of four different 316L stainless steels containing various nitrogen contents (0.015%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.56% N). Diffusion annealed aluminide layers are generated over the surface by heat treatment of the aluminium precoated alloys at 750 °C for 25 h in nitrogen atmosphere. X-ray diffraction patterns of the surface modified samples showed the presence of AlN, Al₁₃Fe₄ and FeAl₂ phases. Diffusion of aluminum into the alloy, and the formation of AlN by the reaction of aluminium with matrix nitrogen, was identified using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The nitrogen peak in the diffused layer was found to increase with increasing nitrogen content of the base alloy. SEM observation of cross-sectionally mounted alloys showed the presence of spherical AlN phase in addition to iron aluminide intermetallic phases. The role of such a composite surface layer containing intermetallic aluminides and nitride on the corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steels in 0.5 M NaCl and 0.5 M sulphuric acid is discussed in greater detail based on open circuit potential (OCP)–time measurements, potentiodynamic polarisation studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) investigations. The aluminide layered alloy with 0.1% N content showed better corrosion performance. The presence of nitrogen was found to have a positive effect in enhancing the hardness of the composite layer. Role of matrix nitrogen on the microstructure and microchemical distribution at the surface, and its role on corrosion resistance in acidic and chloride media are discussed in detail.     

An integrated study on the effect of pre- and post-extrusion heat treatments and surface treatment on the filiform corrosion properties of an aluminium extrusion alloy

The effect of pre- and post-extrusion heat treatments on the filiform corrosion behaviour of a well-known aluminium extrusion alloy AA6063 is studied by a combination of accelerated filiform corrosion exposure tests and potentiodynamic polarisation measurements for four different surface treatments. It is shown that the post-extrusion heat treatment of this AlMgSi alloy can influence the filiform corrosion properties significantly, in particular for the milder surface treatments. In contrast, the relative effect of the pre-extrusion treatment on the filiform corrosion properties is minimal for all treatments. The alloys are most susceptible to filiform corrosion in the β′ condition. The susceptibility decreases with coarsening of the Mg₂Si particle distribution. For the post-extrusion heat and surface treated AA6063 material a clear correlation between the polarisation characteristics and the two principal filiform corrosion characteristics, i.e. the propagation rate and total area of attack after accelerated exposure, is observed. The observed correlation is attributed to a pitting corrosion mechanism with a rate depending on the (coupled) Mg₂Si precipitate size and fraction.     

Effects of Solution and Aging Treatments on Corrosion Resistance of As-cast 60NiTi Alloy

60NiTi alloy has become a competitive candidate for bearing applications due to its shape memory effect, superelasticity, high strength, hardness, excellent abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance, etc. However, the relationship between its corrosion resistance and heat treatment is not clearly understood. Therefore, we used OM, XRD, SEM and EDS to study the evolution of microstructure in as-cast, solution-treated and aged 60NiTi alloy. Besides, the potentiodynamic polarization and salt spray test were used to compare corrosion resistance of 60NiTi alloy and 316 stainless steel and to study the effect of microstructures on corrosion resistance of 60NiTi alloy. The results show that the corrosion resistance of as-cast 60NiTi alloy is comparable to that of 316 stainless steel, but the corrosion resistance of solution-treated and aged 60NiTi alloys is much superior. The significantly reduced Ni₃Ti phase after the solution and aging treatments is responsible for the remarkable improvement in the corrosion resistance of as-cast 60NiTi alloy.     

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of ferritic steel–zirconium-based metal waste form alloy under simulated geological repository environment

The present work focused on investigating the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) susceptibility of ferritic steel–Zr-based metal waste form (MWF) alloy in simulated ground water media, cultured with a common biofilm former Bacillus sp. Total viable count studies showed a good bacterial attachment on the surface of MWF alloy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination of the biofilm MWF surface revealed preferential adhesion of microbes on Fe–Zr-rich intermetallic phases. Anodic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) studies showed active corrosion potential (E_corr), higher passive current density (I_pass) and decreased polarisation resistance (R_p) values, confirming the corrosion susceptibility of MWF alloy under Bacillus sp. biofilm.     

Corrosion resistance properties of plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V alloy in nitric acid solutions

The corrosion resistance of plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy in nitric acid solutions was investigated using polarisation curves, cyclic voltammetry, XRD analysis and surface microhardness. For comparison, untreated alloy samples were tested under the same conditions. While the untreated alloy shows a passive behaviour, the compound layer obtained by glow-discharge nitriding treatment, which is composed of an outer TiN and an inner Ti₂N layer, shows a high electrochemical inertia; however, if the polarisation potential is higher than a threshold or the period of immersion in high oxidising acid solution is sufficiently long, then the compound surface layer will be attacked and removed with corrosion rate higher than in the case of the untreated Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The corrosion resistance of Ti₂N layer results higher in comparison with that of TiN layer.     

Corrosion Behavior of Magnesium Alloy AP65 in 3.5% Sodium Chloride Solution

Magnesium alloy AP65 was prepared by melting and casting. The corrosion behavior of the as-cast and solid solution (T4)-treated AP65 alloys in 3.5% sodium chloride solution was investigated by corrosion morphology observation, immersion test, and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the second phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ surrounded by a lead-enriched area distributes discontinuously along the grain boundaries in the as-cast AP65 alloy. The lead-enriched areas with high activity are susceptible to be attacked during immersion test and can act as places for preferential anodic dissolution. The corrosion resistance of the as-cast AP65 alloy can be improved after T4 treatment and the T4-treated alloy suffers general corrosion.     

Effectiveness of pretreatment method to hinder rebar corrosion in concrete

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the ability of phosphate pretreatments applied on steel rebars to hinder the corrosion reinforcements using synthetic pore electrolyte and mortar contaminated by chloride ions. The electrochemical behaviour of the pretreated substrate was assessed by corrosion potential, polarisation resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results have demonstrated that the treatment of the rebar by immersion in the Na₃PO₄ (0·5M) solution favours the formation of a passive layer on the steel rebar surface, which increases the resistance to corrosion initiation up to 0·3M Cl^– instead of 0·1M Cl^– without treatment. The pretreatment also provides enhancement of corrosion protection of the steel rebar in mortar. The evolution of the impedance spectra in function of chloride concentration is in a fairly good agreement with the results obtained from R_P measurements.     

Effect of W and Ce additions on the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of 444-type ferritic stainless steel

In order to achieve excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance, high melting-point and rare earth elements were added to ferritic stainless steel. The effect of W and Ce addition in ferritic stainless steel on the corrosion resistance in 0.1?M NaOH solution was studied. Potentiodynamic polarisation curves indicated that W- and Ce-containing samples had lower corrosion rate and lower passive current density. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that W–Ce-containing samples had higher polarisation resistance values and thicker passive films. Capacitance analysis indicated that the semiconducting behaviour and the properties of passive film remain unchanged. The addition of W and Ce led to a decrease in donor and acceptor density, which improved the passive film stability.     

Corrosion of biomaterials: anodic treatment and evaluation of 316L stainless steel in simulated body fluid

The influence of electropolishing at different conditions on the electrochemical behaviour of 316L stainless steel (316L SS) in simulated body fluid (SBF) was investigated. Accordingly, 316L SS samples were electropolished in several electropolishing baths of H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ at 2–6 applied volts and 50–110°C for different time intervals. The corrosion behaviour then was studied by means of potentiodynamic polarisation technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in SBF at 37°C. The surface morphology was also investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The results proved that the treated samples had better corrosion resistance than nonpolished one. The highest corrosion resistance was observed for the treated sample at 5?V and 90°C in 10:90 ratio of acidic electrolyte (H₃PO₄:H₂SO₄) for 15?min. Moreover, the corrosion resistances of anodically treated samples were found to be dependent greatly on applied volt, bath temperature, polishing time and phosphoric to sulphuric acids ratio.     

Enhancing corrosion resistance of Mg alloy AZ31B in NaCl solution using alumina reinforcement at nanolength scale

Abstract

The effect of nanosized alumina reinforcements on the corrosion behaviour of Mg alloy AZ31B has been studied by polarisation and electrochemical impedance measurements. The corrosion resistance of the composite was superior to that of the monolithic alloy. This has been explained by considering the beneficial effect of alumina reinforcement in reducing the volume fraction of the beta phase in the microstructure.     

Corrosion behavior of electroless Ni-P alloy coatings containing tungsten or nano-scattered alumina composite in 3.5% NaCl solution

The corrosion protection performance of electroless deposited nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) alloy coatings containing tungsten (Ni-P-W) or nano-scattered alumina (Ni-P-Al₂O₃) composite coatings on low carbon steel was studied. The effect of heat treatment on the coating performance was also studied. The optimum conditions under which such coatings can provide good corrosion protection to the substrate were determined after two weeks of immersion in 3.5% NaCl solution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization measurements have been used to evaluate the coating performance before and after heat treatment. The Ni-P-W coatings showed the highest surface resistance compared with Ni-P-Al₂O₃ and Ni-P. The surface resistance of Ni-P-W coatings was 12.0 × 10⁴ Ω cm² which is about the double of the resistance showed by Ni-P-Al₂O₃ (7.00 × 10⁴ Ω cm²) and twenty times greater than the surface resistance of Ni-P (0.78 × 10⁴ Ω cm²). XRD analysis of non-heat-treated samples revealed formation of a protective tungsten phosphide phase. Heat treatment has an adverse effect on the corrosion protection performance of tungsten and alumina composite coatings. The surface resistance decreased sharply after heat treatment.     

Effect of heat treatment on corrosion behaviour of deposited Fe–40Al intermetallics

Abstract

A study using electrochemical techniques of the susceptibility to corrosion in 0·1M NaCl solution (pH 3) of atomised and deposited Fe–40Al (at.-%) intermetallic material at room temperature is reported. Specimens were heat treated at temperatures of 600 and 900°C for 24 and 72 h. Potentiodynamic polarisation, linear polarisation resistance, potential–time, and electrochemical current noise data were collected. The untreated material displayed higher corrosion resistance than the heat treated material. In the treated material, the corrosion resistance increased with both the time and temperature of heat treatment. Also, untreated material was more susceptible to pitting corrosion than heat treated material. As the temperature or the time of heat treatment was increased, the material became more resistant to pitting. This improvement in resistance to pitting was related to a decrease in surface defects, such as pores and cracks, and an increase in grain size. Thus, heat treatment lowered the number of active sites and helped the material to establish a more protective film.     

Effect of the cerium (III) chloride heptahydrate on the corrosion inhibition of aluminum alloy

In the present work, the corrosion protection of aluminum alloy AA2024-T3 has been studied in NaCl solution, with and without the addition of cerium (III) chloride heptahydrate. The corrosion inhibitor efficiency after immersion into 10 mM NaCl, with or without 3 mM of CeCl₃·7H₂O at 20°C, 40°C, and 60°C was investigated. The performed quantitative tests include electrochemical techniques, such as the method of quasipotentiostatic polarization (Tafel extrapolation), cyclic polarization, and electrochemical impedance s pectroscopy to determine corrosion rate (v_corr), inhibition efficiency (η %), protective ability (γ), degree of coverage (ϑ), and pitting nucleation resistance. The samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis to evaluate and characterize the precipitates formed on the surface of aluminum samples and to determine dominant type of corrosion. The formation of Ce³⁺ precipitates occurred on cathodic intermetallic sites and the surface, in general, resulting in improved corrosion resistance. Tested cerium (III) chloride heptahydrate proved to be an effective inorganic corrosion inhibitor for AA2024-T3 in chloride solution, which, by the action of cerium ions, reduced corrosion on the surface of the studied aluminum alloy.     

An investigation of the corrosion behaviour of a FeNiCoAlTa shape memory alloy in 3.5 wt-% NaCl solution

In this study, the corrosion behaviour of an FeNiCoAlTa (NCAT) shape memory alloy in 3.5% (w?w^?1) NaCl solution was evaluated. Linear polarisation resistance and potentiodynamic polarisation tests were conducted at 25°C. An open circuit potential (OCP) of ?381?mV (vs. saturated calomel reference electrode) and a corrosion rate (CR) of 0.0174?mm?y^?1 were obtained. The NCAT alloy did not show any passivation in the 3.5% (w?w^?1) NaCl solution. Its corrosion behaviour was very similar to that of G10180 (AISI 1018) carbon steel with the NCAT showing a lower CR and a less active OCP. Its corrosion in the solution was a combination of general dissolution and localised attack (pitting). Aging heat treatment caused β-Ni₃Al phase, and tantalum to precipitate on the grain boundaries, resulting in chemical species segregation between the grain boundaries and the grains. The chemical segregation caused intergranular corrosion of the alloy.     

An electrochemical study of the effect of Li on the corrosion behavior of Ni3Al intermetallic alloy in molten (Li + K) carbonate

A study of the effect of lithium content (1, 3 and 5 wt.%) and heat treatment (400 °C during 144 h) on the corrosion behavior of Ni₃Al alloy has been carried out in a 62 mol.%Li₂CO₃-38 mol.%K₂CO₃ mixture at 650 °C using electrochemical techniques. Employed electrochemical techniques included potentiodynamic polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, LPR, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, and electrochemical noise, measurements EN. Results have shown that the alloys exhibited an active-passive behavior regardless of the heat treatment. For alloys without heat treatment, the most corrosion resistant was the Ni₃Al base alloy, but when they were heat treated, the most corrosion resistant was the alloy containing 3%Li. EIS results showed that for short immersion tests, the corrosion process was under diffusion control, but for longer exposure times, the presence of a protective scale was evident. All the alloys were highly susceptible to a localized type of corrosion according to EN measurements and supported by SEM micrographs.     

Effects of solution heat treatment on the microstructure, oxidation, and mechanical properties of a cast Ni3Al-based intermetallic alloy

Solution heat treatment is employed in an attempt to improve oxidation and mechanical properties of an as-cast Ni₃Al alloy (IC221M) at operation temperature, 900 °C. Solution heat treatment was hypothesized to have beneficial effects through dissolving γ Ni₅Zr eutectic into the matrix. The microstructures, oxidation behavior in air at 900 °C, and mechanical properties with aging times at 900 °C were examined after solution heat treatment of as-cast Ni₃Al alloy in Ar for up to 100 h at 1100 °C. The oxide penetration depth into the matrix was dramatically decreased and more homogeneous surface oxides were obtained relative to the no solution, treatment case. Hardness was improved by solution heat treatment due to a solid solution strengthening effect by Zr, but the tensile properties after solution heat treatment were not significantly different from those prior to treatment.     

Effect of heat treatment on corrosion behaviour of magnesium alloy AZ91D in simulated body fluid

The research explored ways of improving corrosion behaviour of AZ91D magnesium alloy through heat treatment for degradable biocompatible implant application. Corrosion resistance of heat-treated samples is studied in simulated body fluid at 37 °C using immersion and electrochemical testing. Heat treatment significantly affected microgalvanic corrosion behaviour between cathodic β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and anodic α-Mg matrix. In T4 microstructure, dissolution of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase decreased the cathode-to-anode area ratio, leading to accelerated corrosion of α-Mg matrix. Fine β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates in T6 microstructure facilitated intergranular corrosion and pitting, but the rate of corrosion was less than those of as-cast and T4 microstructures.