Corrosion and Electrochemistry

Corrosion and Electrochemistry

Technique:
electrochemistry setupThe corrosion testing/electrochemistry laboratory at Surface Science Western is very well equipped to handle a variety of corrosion testing needs.  Our corrosion group is actively pursuing several short-term and long-term projects involving the examination of corrosion failures from field service materials with the objective of determining the root cause of the corrosion mechanism responsible for the failure of the component.  In addition, the electrochemical techniques available in the corrosion laboratory can be used to determine the following:  1) the corrosion rate in the metal/electrolyte system of interest, 2) the diffusion kinetics of ions in the vicinity of the corrosion processes, and 3) the quality of protective coatings.  The current long-term research projects are sponsored by industrial partners and range from one to three years in duration.
Instruments:

  • Two Solartron Poteniostats
  • Two Solartron Frequency Response Analysers
  • Solartron Localized Electrochemical Impedance System
  • Scratching Electrode Setup
  • Pine Rotating Disc Electrode and Pine Bi-potentiostat
  • Electrochemical Noise Monitoring System

System capabilities:

  • Electrochemical polarization
  • Cyclic voltammetry
  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • Localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  • Coulostatic measurements
  • Electrochemical noise
  • Scratching electrode measurements
  • Rotating disc electrode measurements

Selected applications in industry:

  • Corrosion/electrochemical behaviour of coatings (conversion coatings used in the automotive industry and tinplated steel widely employed in the food packaging industry)
  • Localized corrosion/electrochemical behaviour of steam generator tubing materials (Inconel and Monel alloys)
  • Electrochemical evaluation of accumulated fatigue damage in pressure boundary materials
  • Evaluation of corrosion inhibitors
  • Passivation of aluminum and chromium alloys
  • Evaluation of the corrosion behaviour of nickel and copper-based alloys for long-term storage