Corrosion Electric Field Analysis Around Microscopically Damaged Passive Film of Stainless Steel by Boundary Element Method

Abstract

This research aims to quantitatively evaluate a local galvanic corrosion induced stress in the stainless steel. Boundary element method is used for evaluation. The electrochemical property and its variation due to stress were measured by the mechano-electrochemical experiment. It is difficult to measure the electrochemical property of new surface microscopically generated by the plastic deformation, therefore it was identified based on the result of tensile test in corrosive environment. The validity of the identified polarization curve of damage surface was examined by the boundary element electrostatic simulation. The natural potential of the damaged part was 350 mV lower than the passive film.