Acceleration of zinc corrosion in alkaline suspensions containing iron oxides or iron hydroxides

Fast zinc dissolution is of industrial interest in recycling galvanised steel scraps. An acceleration of zinc corrosion in alkaline solutions was observed in the presence of various iron oxides or iron hydroxides. This corrosion was investigated by weight loss, measurements of hydrogen evolution and variation of current in a galvanic cell. The mechanism of this fast zinc corrosion was investigated by electrochemical means and by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy observations of zinc surface after immersion in alkaline suspensions of iron oxides or iron hydroxides. These insoluble iron compounds were involved in a reduction step leading to iron containing microparticles characterised by a low hydrogen overpotential and which acted as cathodic areas in a galvanic corrosion of zinc.