Oxidation resistance, oxide layers providing

Since the natural passivity of aluminium is due to the thin film of oxide formed by the action of the atmosphere, it is not unexpected that the thicker films formed by anodic oxidation afford considerable protection against corrosive influences, provided the oxide layer is continuous, and free from macropores. The protective action of the film is considerably enhanced by effective sealing, which plugs the mouths of the micropores formed in the normal course of anodising with hydrated oxide, and still further improvement may be afforded by the incorporation of corrosion inhibitors, such as dichromates, in the sealing solution. Chromic acid films, in spite of their thinness, show good corrosion resistance. 

Tin finds widespread use because of its resistance to corrosion, or as foil or to provide protective coats/plates for other metals. Properties of lead which make industrial application attractive surround its soft, plastic nature permitting it to be rolled into sheets or extruded through dies. In the finely-divided state lead powder is pyrophoric in bulk form the rapidly-formed protective oxide layer inhibits further reaction. It dissolves slowly in mineral acids. Industrial uses include roofing material, piping, and vessel linings, e.g. for acid storage. 

The most reliable and easy to control method of oxide films application is provided by either sputtering of an oxide layer (e. g., by a laser beiun), or evaporation of a thin metal zinc film (its resistance is usually 5-10 Ohm) from tantalum vessel onto a thoroughly prepared clean quartz substrate in a vacuum of Torr (containing no oil and... 

The bluish white, hard, yet ductile, metal is inert to all acids and highly non-abrasive. Used for heavy-duty parts in electrical contacts and spinning jets. Reflectors are prepared from the mirror-smooth surfaces (e.g. head mirrors in medicine). Thin coatings provide a corrosion-resistant protective layer, for example, for jewelry, watches, and spectacle frames. The metal is a constituent of three-way catalysts. Rhodium complexes are used with great success in carbonylations (reactions with CO) and oxidations (nitric acid) in industry. Platinum-rhodium alloys are suitable thermocouples. 

A cross-sectional schematic of a monolithic gas sensor system featuring a microhotplate is shown in Fig. 2.2. Its fabrication relies on an industrial CMOS-process with subsequent micromachining steps. Diverse thin-film layers, which can be used for electrical insulation and passivation, are available in the CMOS-process. They are denoted dielectric layers and include several silicon-oxide layers such as the thermal field oxide, the contact oxide and the intermetal oxide as well as a silicon-nitride layer that serves as passivation. All these materials exhibit a characteristically low thermal conductivity, so that a membrane, which consists of only the dielectric layers, provides excellent thermal insulation between the bulk-silicon chip and a heated area. The heated area features a resistive heater, a temperature sensor, and the electrodes that contact the deposited sensitive metal oxide. An additional temperature sensor is integrated close to the circuitry on the bulk chip to monitor the overall chip temperature. The membrane is released by etching away the silicon underneath the dielectric layers. Depending on the micromachining procedure, it is possible to leave a silicon island underneath the heated area. Such an island can serve as a heat spreader and also mechanically stabihzes the membrane. The fabrication process will be explained in more detail in Chap 4. 

The exceptional properties of the alloy are due in no small way to the yttrium component which together with the aluminium forms a stable and firmly bound oxide layer that exhibits excellent resistance to exhaust gas emissions at high temperatures over prolonged periods.( ) At the same time, it provides an ideal surface to receive another coating of metal or metal oxide which, in the context of catalyst applications, is most essential. At the present time most catalytic convertors utilise ceramic substrates which are prone to damage by both mechanical and thermal shock. 

The surface preparation method must be carefully considered, especially if the completed weldbond is to have long-term durability to hostile environments. The surface preparation should provide an optimal surface for both adhesion and welding. Thus, the choice of surface treatment is crucial, and there can be a conflict of requirements. The spot welding process requires a low electrical surface resistance, and many adhesive surface preparation processes provide a high surface resistance because of oxide layer buildup. When it is impossible to harmonize on a surface treatment, current practice tends to favor treatments that yield good weld nuggets at the expense of the adhesive bond. 

The corrosion resistance of steel can be greatly increased by alloying with chromium to form the stainless steels. Figure 12 shows the effect of increasing chromium content on the corrosion rate of steel. At 12-14% Cr there is a dramatic decrease in corrosion rate. The corrosion resistance is due to the formation of a thin adherent layer of chromium oxide on the steel surface [23]. The steel will remain stainless provided the oxide layer remains intact or can be rapidly repaired, i.e. the steel is exposed to oxidising conditions. The precipitation of chromium carbide at grain boundaries will cause disruption of this oxide film (See Sect. 3.2.5) and hence localised corrosion. Precipitation of chromium carbide can be reduced by alloying with elements which form carbides more readily than chromium, e.g. titanium, niobium, and tantalum. 

The corrosion resistance of aluminum and At alloys is largely due to the protective oxide film, which can attain a thickness of about 10 A within seconds on a freshly exposed aluminum surface [8]. A good corrosion protection system should include protection of the oxide layer and, in addition, should provide a good adhesive base for subsequent paint. The conventional corrosion protection system of aluminum... 

In the presence of molten salts, hot corrosion is unavoidable. Alloy components only slowdown the corrosion process. The naturally forming oxide layers are not sufficient to completely protect against hot corrosion. Composites have been used to resist salt corrosive attack at high temperatures. These composites consist of a metal or alloy core with a coating specially designed to resist hot corrosion. The metal core provides strength and the coating provides protection. 

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