Investigation of Passivation Characteristics of Iron and Steinless Steel by an Intermittent Galvanostatic Polarization Method

Abstract

Intermittent galvanostatic polarization measurements were carried out using iron and stainless steel electrodes. With consideration to the potentials indicated in the Pourbaix diagram of the Fe-H₂O binary system, and also the effects of pH and polarizing current density on the shape of the potential vs. time diagrams, conclusions were drawn concerning the corrosion products anticipated under the given conditions, and also the stability of passive films. The differences in character of the passive films on iron and stainless steel are reflected primarily in their degree of protectiveness and their susceptibility to breakdown.