Testing and analysis techniques in rare earth inhibitor research

Deakin University, Australia and Y. HUANG and F. MANSFELD, University of Southern California, U S A 

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of major corrosion testing and analysis techniques and their applications in corrosion inhibitor research, with a particular focus on electrochemical evaluation of corrosion protection by rare earth metal (REM) compounds. Attempts are made to discuss fundamental issues in inhibitor test design such as limitations in corrosion measurement techniques and challenges that may lead to the reporting of inaccurate corrosion rates and patterns. 

Key words corrosion inhibition, rare earth metal inhibitors, corrosion testing, electrochemical methods, surface analytical technique. 

It is widely appreciated that corrosion inhibitor testing needs to simulate the actual service exposure environment however, relatively less consideration has been given to the effects of environmental parameters on corrosion patterns and mechanisms. It is not uncommon to receive misleading test results because of inappropriate selection of testing parameters and measuring techniques. 

The following section discusses fundamental aspects of corrosion inhibitor test design. Particular attention is paid to difficult issues such as the simulation of locahzed corrosion and the influences of localized corrosion on inhibitor testing. 

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Testing and analysis techniques in rare earth inhibitor research... 

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