The impact of porosity,pH2 and pH2O on the polarisation resistance of Ni–BaZr0.85Y0.15O3−δ cermet anodes for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFCs)

The effect of porosity and atmosphere on the polarisation resistance of Ni-BZY cermet anodes for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The level of porosity was adjusted by the use of differing amounts of starch porogen. The total polarisation resistance of the cermet anode (Rp) generally showed an increase with increasing porosity. The high frequency polarisation resistance (R2) was shown to have low atmosphere dependence but presented a strong correlation to microstructural variations. In contrast, the low frequency polarisation resistance (R3) was shown to have a low dependence on humidity but demonstrated a strong negative dependence on pH₂ with a value of unity. Subsequent discussion relates the lower frequency response to the dissociative adsorption of H₂ on the anode surface. The present study highlights that porogens are not required for peak performance in PCFC anodes under standard operating conditions, a result contrary to that of their oxide-ion conducting cermet counterparts.     

Effect of phosphoric acid concentration on corrosion of Cr–Mn–N and Cr–Ni stainless steels

Phosphoric acid concentration (5–85%) effects on the corrosion behaviour of austenitic Fe–18Cr–12Mn–N steel have been studied by potentiodynamic polarisation measurements. After the anodic polarisation, both the film composition and the electronic structure have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The specimen surface examinations have been carried out by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the corrosion behaviour of the steel at issue have been compared to those relevant to two trademark materials [austenitic stainless steels AISI 304 (Fe–18Cr–9Ni) and X14AΓ15 (Fe–14Cr–15Mn–N)] and developed under the same test conditions.     

Effects of polarisation on mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of 7050 aluminium alloy

The effects of polarisation (including cathodic and anodic polarisation) on mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility (I_SCC) of 7050 aluminium alloy have been investigated by means of polarisation and slow strain rate test. The results of cathodic polarisation experiments showed that the I_SCC increased with shifting negatively the polarisation potential when the cathodic potential E_C≧?1100 mV(SCE), while it decreased with shifting negatively the polarisation potential when the cathodic potential E_CI_SCC increased severely with increasing the polarisation potential. In addition, the extents for the effect of polarisation potential on I_SCC were different among the 7050 aluminium alloy under various aging states. Polarisation was of the biggest effect on the I_SCC of under aged state, the smallest effect of over aged state and the middle effect of peak aged state. The SCC mechanism of aluminium alloy was a combination of anodic dissolution and hydrogen embrittlement, and the effects of hydrogen on SCC increased with increasing the hydrogen concentration.     

Interpretation of the corrosion process of a galvannealed coating layer on dual-phase steel

The dissolution process of a galvannealed coating layer on dual-phase steel was examined by correlating a stripping test, metallographic observations and a polarisation test in an acidified chloride solution. The galvannealed coating layer was composed of several Fe–Zn intermetallic phases, namely the gamma, delta, and zeta phases, from the substrate. The dissolution began from the outermost zeta phase and proceeded to the gamma and then the delta phase. The dissolution rates for each intermetallic phase and galvanic couples were measured and estimated through a polarisation test, and the gamma phase in the gamma-substrate galvanic couple exhibited the highest corrosion rate.     

Direct current testing to measure corrosiveness of wood preservatives

A qualitative test that mimics the corrosion behaviour of metals in contact with treated wood without using wood specimens would be of great value in rapidly evaluating the corrosiveness of new wood preservatives. The objective of this study was to determine whether the linear polarisation resistance of metals immersed in a solution of preservative chemicals is related to corrosion of metals in wood. This technique was used to measure the corrosion rate of four types of metals in three different aqueous solutions of wood preservatives. The four metals were UNS G10180 (SAE 1018 steel), UNS S30400 (AISI 304 stainless steel), UNS S43000 (AISI 430 stainless steel), and UNS Z15001 (zinc). The metals were subjected to various concentrations of alkaline copper quat (ACQ-D), ammoniacal copper citrate (CC), and chromated copper arsenate type C (CCA-C). It was found that the corrosion of metals in the solutions of the wood preservatives did not correlate well to what is known about the corrosion of metals in contact with wood.     

Preparation and characterisation of electrophoretically deposited hydroxyapatite coatings on type 316L stainless steel

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings were developed on type 316L stainless steel (SS) by electrophoretic deposition at various deposition potentials from 30 to 90 V using the stoichiometric HAP (Ca/P ratio 1.67) powder in a suspension of isopropyl alcohol. The optimum coating parameters were established at 60 V and 3 min, after vacuum sintering at 800 °C. The phase purity of the coated surface was confirmed by XRD and secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of both Ca and P on the coated layers. The electrochemical corrosion parameters E_corr (open circuit potential) and pitting potentials, evaluated in Hank’s solution shifted towards noble direction for the HAP coated specimens in comparison with uncoated type 316L SS. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic investigations revealed higher polarisation resistance and lower capacitance values after immersing the coated specimens in Hanks solution for 200 h. This indicates the stable nature of the coatings formed.     

Inhibitory action of aqueous coffee ground extracts on the corrosion of carbon steel in HCl solution

The effects of aqueous extracts of spent coffee grounds on the corrosion of carbon steel in a 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl were examined. Two methods of extraction were studied: decoction and infusion. The inhibition efficiency of C-steel in 1 mol L⁻¹ HCl increased as the extract concentration and temperature increased. The coffee extracts acted as a mixed-type inhibitor with predominant cathodic effectiveness. In this study, the adsorption process of components of spent coffee grounds extracts obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The chlorogenic acids isolated do not seem to explain the corrosion inhibition observed during the use of the coffee extracts.     

In situ impedance spectroscopy study of the electrochemical corrosion of Ti and Ti–6Al–4V in simulated body fluid at 25 °C and 37 °C

The corrosion resistance of Ti and Ti–6Al–4V was investigated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, potentiodynamic polarisation curves and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The tests were done in Hank solution at 25 °C and 37 °C. The EIS measurements were done at the open circuit potential at specific immersion times. An increase of the resistance as a function of the immersion time was observed, for Ti (at 25 °C and 37 °C), and for Ti–6Al–4V (at 25 °C), which was interpreted as the formation and growth of a passive film on the metallic surfaces.     

Measurement system for long-term recording of wood moisture content with internal conductively glued electrodes

Moisture as an important influence factor on fungal growth needs to be considered for service life prediction of wood and wood-based products. Therefore, a long-term moisture measuring and data logging method for wood in weathered conditions was developed. The method is based on measuring the electrical resistance with glued electrodes for sustainable connection. The measuring point at the tip of the electrodes was glued conductively into the wood, the remaining outer part of the electrodes was glued with an isolating glue. For this purpose, special conductive and isolating glues and electrodes were developed and comparatively evaluated in laboratory tests. The most suitable system consisted of a 2k-epoxy resin, serving for the isolating glue and also as conductive glue (when mixed with graphite powder and ethanol) in combination with a partly isolated stainless steel cable, acting as both, electrode and cable. This system was further tested in combination with mobile mini data logger at 29 different exposure sites in Europe and the United States. After 4–6 years of natural weathering with many extreme climatic and moisture changes, no loosening or other detectable abnormality in 541 pairs of electrodes was observed. The data logging systems were working without any problems for 5 years with the first and only battery, and without any additional maintenance. For the calibration of the measuring system, resistance characteristics were determined for different provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco).