Corrosion, metal oxide growth process

The model is capable of simulating multi-phase internal corrosion processes that are governed by solid-state diffusion in the bulk metal. Oxidation experiments in laboratory air and He-02-H20 mixtures revealed that internal corrosion of low-alloy steels occurs along grain boundaries as part of the inward oxide growth process. Since the low-alloy boiler steels contain small amounts of Cr, the phase composition of the iimer layer exhibits a gradual... 

The second chapter is by Aogaki and includes a review of nonequilibrium fluctuations in corrosion processes. Aogaki begins by stating that metal corrosion is not a single electrode reaction, but a complex reaction composed of the oxidation of metal atoms and the reduction of oxidants. He provides an example in the dissolution of iron in an acidic solution. He follows this with a discussion of electrochemical theories on corrosion and the different techniques involved in these theories. He proceeds to discuss nonequilibrium fluctuations and concludes that we can again point out that the reactivity in corrosion is determined, not by its distance from the reaction equilibrium but by the growth processes of the nonequilibrium fluctuations. ... 

Moreover, almost in all the early steps, the redox potential of the clusters, which decreases with the nuclearity, is quite negative. Therefore the growth process undergoes another competition with a spontaneous corrosion by the solvent and the radiolytic protons, corrosion which may even prevent the formation of clusters, as mostly in the case of nonnoble metals. Monomeric atoms and oligomers of these elements are so fragile to reverse oxidation by the medium that H2 is evolved and the zerovalent metal is not formed [11]. For that reason, it is preferable in these systems to scavenge the protons by adding a base to the solution and to favor the coalescence by a reduction faster than the oxidation [53]. 

Fig. 4 shows a simple phase diagram for a metal (1) covered with a passivating oxide layer (2) contacting the electrolyte (3) with the reactions at the interfaces and the transfer processes across the film. This model is oversimplified. Most passive layers have a multilayer structure, but usually at least one of these partial layers has barrier character for the transfer of cations and anions. Three main reactions have to be distinguished. The corrosion in the passive state involves the transfer of cations from the metal to the oxide, across the oxide and to the electrolyte (reaction 1). It is a matter of a detailed kinetic investigation as to which part of this sequence of reactions is the rate-determining step. The transfer of O2 or OH- from the electrolyte to the film corresponds to film growth or film dissolution if it occurs in the opposite direction (reaction 2). These anions will combine with cations to new oxide at the metal/oxide and the oxide/electrolyte interface. Finally, one has to discuss electron transfer across the layer which is involved especially when cathodic redox processes have to occur to compensate the anodic metal dissolution and film formation (reaction 3). In addition, one has to discuss the formation of complexes of cations at the surface of the passive layer, which may increase their transfer into the electrolyte and thus the corrosion current density (reaction 4). The scheme of Fig. 4 explains the interaction of the partial electrode processes that are linked to each other by the elec-... 

In the opposite case, hv > g, photons produce electron-hole pairs. Accumulation of holes at the oxide surface increases the local potential drop which may cause a fast photocorrosion. Ion migration is enhanced in the thin film, corrosion is enhanced, and altogether a fast dissolution of metal takes place by a photoelectro-chemical process in the passive film. An example is given for Ti [160]. This technique can be used for microstructuring of Ti- or Al surfaces [104]. On the other hand, anodic metal ion dissolution competes with the opposite anodic film forming ITR of oxygen ions. Therefore, in dependence on the special conditions, laser induced oxide growth may overcome pit formation [160]. 

Thus, the growth of an external oxide scale by the reaction between a pure metal or a metallic alloy and a gaseous or liquid oxidant phase at high temperature is also a combination of diffusion processes and interfacial reactions, and Fig. 2.1 also applies to such corrosion processes that are formally similar to solid-state reactions in poly-phase and multi-constituent systems. Such a similarity will be considered to extend the treatment of the Kirkendall effect for two-phase diffusion couples to the growth of an oxide scale on a pure metal or on an alloy. The roles of interfaces will be analysed more particularly in relation to some specific topics related to oxide scaling processes such as interface displacement, growth stresses and injection of point defects (vacancy or interstitial). 

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