Corrosion behavior of titanium-clad carbon steel in weakly alkaline solutions

The electrochemical polarization curves and corrosion potentials during long-term immersion of Ti, carbon steel, carbon steel tightened-Ti and Ti-clad carbon steel specimens were investigated in bentonite-contacting solution (mixture of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate solutions), sodium sulfate solution and borate solution adjusted to pH=9.0-9.84. Ti and carbon steel were passivated during immersion in borate solution, while carbon steel was corroded in the solutions containing SO₄²⁻ ions. The immersion potentials of Ti-clad steel and steel-tightened Ti specimens were controlled by the corrosion potential of carbon steel (about 0 V vs. RHE at 298 K). The Ti side of the clad specimen was, therefore, polarized cathodically at this immersion potential, and this caused hydration of and/or hydrogen penetration into the oxide film, resulting in degradation of its barrier property. Furthermore, the cathodic current on the Ti side was partially coupled with the anodic current in the corrosion reaction on the carbon steel side, resulting in acceleration of the overall corrosion rate.