Extended Point Defect Model for nickel-chromium alloys

Mirna Urquidi-Macdonald*, Bernard Normand, Henry Mendy, Digby D. MacDonald

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A Point Defect Model (PDM) has been developed to opitimize the chromium content in conferring passivity on nickel-chromium alloys in aggressive aqueous media. The model assumes a passive film of defective nickel oxide and a porous, precipitated outer layer of a mixture of Ni(OH) 2 and Cr(OH) 3. The measured impedance is composed of the impedance of the barrier layer, of the outer porous, precipitated hydroxide layer, and that of the electrical double layer. Experimental and theoretical preliminary results (is this paper), in this research work and carried out by other authors confirmed that a Ni-Cr (14% w) alloy in a 1 M H 2SO 4 electrolyte-at four voltages within the passive region-forms a ptype barrier layer of several nm (in this work it is calculated to be from 7 to 12 nm thick and a porous, precipitated film of 59 to 72 nm thick after about 4 hours of polarization). The model assumes and the results of the model confirmed along the XPS results that the outer layer is composed mainly of a mixed hydroxides of nickel and chromium. In this research work, the original PDM had been expanded to provide a mechanistic description of the passive film dissolution, including the formation of the precipitated outer layer and a mechanistic description of the electrical double layer. The Faradaic impedance of the barrier layer is controlled by the reactions that are responsible of the formation and dissolution of the inner layer of the passive film and the generation and annihilation of the point defects, and it is coupled in series with the impedance of the outer layer. The outer layer impedance (including that of the double layer) strongly depends on the reactions at the barrier layer/outer layer interface and on the double layer capacitance. Accordingly, for first time, a mathematical expression is obtained to describe the outer layer impedance in terms of the reactions occurring at the base of the pores in the porous-outer-layer; i.e., at the inner/outer layer interface.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication18th International Corrosion Congress 2011
Pages1958-1969
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 2011

Publication series

Name18th International Corrosion Congress 2011
Volume3

Keywords

  • Double-layer
  • Outer layer-Helmholtz layer impedance
  • Passive film
  • Point defect model

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Surfaces and Interfaces

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