Quiz 3

EMA 4324, Stability of Materials, LecSec 3009 KEY

Monday, October 11, 2004

Electrochemical data for the JRA - H2O system are presented on the following table.

Tafel
equilibrium [Nernst] exchange current
process constant,
potential, volts SHE density, jo, A/cm2
β, volts
+2 - -5
J + 2e = J -0.528 5x10 0.15
+ - -7
2H + 2e = H2 -0.178 1x10 0.06
O2 + 2H2O + 4e- = 4OH- 1.053 1x10-15 0.1
o +2 +2 -6
E [J /J] = -0.350 v; [J ] = 10 M; assume all jo values to have been determined at EN
solution pH = 3

1. [5 points] Assuming charge transfer [activation] control of all electrochemical processes, what
values would you predict for the corrosion potential and corrosion current for JRA exposed to
deaerated water of pH 3? [note: you may solve the problem using either analytical or
graphical methods - I have provided a blank Evan’s diagram; the analytical expression[s]
were in downloadable notes.]

4.0
log[current], log amperes

2.0

0.0

-2.0
icorr = 3.98x10-4
-4.0

-6.0
Ecorr = -0.392v
-8.0
-0.40 -0.20 0.00 0.20 0.40
applied potential, volts SHE

Corrosion current, icorr = 3.98x10-4 A

Corrosion potential, Ecorr = -0.392 v SHE
2. [5 points] Calculate the corrosion penetration rate [CPR, in units of mpy] for JRA in the
deaerated pH3 test solution.

AW, g/mol atom radius, nm ion radius, nm density, g/cm3

0.098 [JRA+2]
JRA(c) 91.8 0.141 9.62
0.077 [JRA+3]

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Had to have assume A = 1cm2 in order to use jo values - therefore, jcorr = icorr
3.98x10-4 C/s*cm2*91.8/[2*96500*9.62] = 1.97x10-8 cm/s = 245 mpy

3. [10 points] For 2 points each, predict the effects of the following changes on corrosion current
and corrosion potential:

a. An increase in area of JRA exposed to the environment. Ecorr unchanged

icorr increased
[jcorr unchanged]

b. An increase in solution pH. Ecorr, icorr decrease

c. An increase in H2 pressure. no change

d. An increase in value of the Tafel constant for the
cathodic reaction [βc]. Ecorr, icorr decrease

e. Introduction of O2 [p = 1 atm]. Ecorr, icorr increase