Localized corrosion potentiostatic methods

The test method ASTM F7464 covers the determination of the resistance to either pitting or crevice corrosion of passive metals and alloys from which surgical implants are produced. The resistance of surgical implants to localized corrosion is carried out in dilute sodium chloride solution under specific conditions of potentiodynamic test method. Typical transient decay curves under potentiostatic polarization should monitor susceptibility to localized corrosion. Alloys are ranked in terms of the critical potential for pitting, the higher (more noble) this potential, the more resistant is to passive film breakdown and to localized corrosion. (Sprowls)14... 

Methods used to study localized corrosion consist of galvanostatic methods and potentiostatic methods. At constant chosen currents the evolution of potential as a function of time is noted until the rate of change in potential approaches zero. This... 

Other DC methods that are quite simple to use and provide important information to the corrosion scientist include polarization resistance (ASTM G 59, Practice for Conducting Potentiodynamic Polarization Resistance Measurements), potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization measurements (ASTM G 5, Standard Reference Test Method for Making Potentiostatic and Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization Measurements), cyclic polarization measurements (ASTM G 61, Test Method for Conducting Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarization Measurements for Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Iron-, Nickel-, or Cobalt-based Alloys), and galvanic current monitoring. These DC techniques can be used to estimate the reactivity of a mateiieJ in a peurticular environment, to determine the corrosion rate of a materieJ in a particular environment, and/or to determine the susceptibility of a material to localized corrosion. 

Cyclic anodic polarization procedures based upon ASTM G5 (Reference Test Method for Making Potentiostatic and Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization Measurements) have been used to evaluate the localized corrosion resistance of stainless steel alloys in paper machine white waters. The difference between the open circuit or naturally occurring corrosion potential and the pitting breakdown potential of various materials has been reported by many investigators [lO-Id]. Bowers [14] called the difference between the breakdown potential and the potential of the cathodic/anodic current reversal the margin of safety. He also noted the effect of the sulfate to chloride concentration ratio on localized corrosion of Types 304 and 316L stainless steels, These results permitted alternative materials of construction to be ranked and their limits of resistance to be defined. 

Electrochemical protection by passivation requires precise control of the potential. Indeed, unless the criterion (12.24) is satisfied over the entire surface there is a risk of accelerating locally the corrosion at the sites that are insufficiently protected. The method therefore calls for the use of a potentiostat in combination with a three-electrode set-up that includes the structure to be protected, a counter-electrode, and a reference electrode. 

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