Influence of hydrothermal exposure on surface characteristics and corrosion behaviors of anodized titanium

Titanium surface was modified by anodization in phosphoric acid solution at the voltages of 100 and 250 V, respectively. Surface characteristics and corrosion behaviors of anodized titanium were investigated before and after hydrothermal exposure in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution at 160 °C for 24 h. It was found that anodization at 100 and 250 V resulted in the formation of a dense and a porous TiO₂ layer, respectively. The existence of anatase in the oxide layers of the 250‐V samples was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis but not in the oxide layers of the 100‐V samples. After the hydrothermal exposure, the surface morphology of the 100‐V sample changed significantly, and discrete nanorods were formed on the surface. In contrast, the 250‐V sample basically preserved their original surface structures after the exposure except that numerous closely packed nanoparticles emerged on the surface. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated that the exposure transformed the amorphous oxides into crystalline anatase. The corrosion behavior investigation of anodized titanium showed that the hydrothermal exposure had slight influence on the corrosion resistance of the 100‐V samples but decreased the corrosion resistance of the 250‐V samples significantly. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and properties of mechanically alloyed and electrochemically etched porous Ti–6Al–4V

Formation of porous Ti–6Al–4V nanostructure biomaterial was described. The alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying followed by pressing, sintering and subsequent anodic electrochemical etching in 1 M H₃PO₄ + 2% HF electrolyte at 10 V for 30 min. Mechanically alloyed Ti–6Al–4V has nanostructure with grain size of about 35 nm and large grain boundaries volume fraction, which essentially improve etching process. The electrolyte penetrates sintered compacts through the grain boundaries, resulting in effective material removing and pores formation. The pore diameter reaches up to 60 μm, which is very attractive for strong bonding with bone. The anodization of the microcrystalline alloy ingot results in selective etching, revealing of the two-phase structure with relatively flat surface. The corrosion properties were investigated in Ringer’s solution. Mechanically alloyed samples shows worse corrosion resistance than the bulk microcrystalline alloy ingot, but electrochemical etching results in improving corrosion resistance.     

Effect of thermal annealing of poly(3-octylthiophene) films covered stainless steel on corrosion properties

The effect of thermal annealing of poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) coatings on the corrosion inhibition of stainless steel in an NaCl solution was investigated. P3OT was synthesized by direct oxidation of the 3-octylthiophene monomer with ferric chloride (FeCl₃) as oxidant. P3OT films were deposited by drop-casting technique onto 304 stainless steel electrode (304SS). 304SS coated with P3OT films were thermally annealed during 30 h at different temperatures (55°C, 80°C, and 100°C). The corrosion resistance of stainless steel coated with P3OT in 0.5 M NaCl aqueous solution at room temperature was investigated by using potentiodynamic polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the thermal treatment at 80°C and 100°C of P3OT films improved the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel in NaCl solution; the speed of corrosion diminished in an order of magnitude with regard to the 304SS. In order to study the temperature effect in the morphology of the coatings before and after the corrosive environment and correlate it with corrosion protection, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used. Morphological study showed that when the films are heated, the grain size increased and a denser surface was obtained, which benefited the barrier properties of the film.     

The effects of electropolishing on the nanochannel ordering of the porous anodic alumina prepared in oxalic acid

A series of porous anodic alumina has been prepared by anodizing aluminum surface in 0.3 M oxalic acid at different voltages. Prior to anodizing, the surface was pretreated in two different electropolishing electrolytes. One was Brytal solution (15% Na₂CO₃ and 5% Na₃PO₄) at 80 °C in which the electropolishing was performed at 2 V. This resulted in about 100–150 nm apart random features of 4–5 nm height. The other was the commonly employed perchloric acid–alcohol solution (1:4 ratio by volume), in which the electropolishing was performed at 20 V. The resulting surface comprised nanostripes of 1–2 nm amplitude with a wavelength of about 50 nm. The former pretreatment proved better for self-ordering of the pores at the anodizing voltage of 50–60 V, while the latter pretreatment was found better at the anodizing voltage of 40 V. The improved pore ordering at a given voltage was attributed to the higher pore density as associated with greater repulsive interactions among the pores.     

Modification of niobium surfaces using plasma electrolytic oxidation in silicate solutions

Herein, a study of the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of niobium in an anodising bath composed of potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) is reported. The effects of the K₂SiO₃ concentration in the bath and the process voltage on the characteristics of the obtained oxide layers were assessed. Compact, barrier-type oxide layers were obtained when the process voltage did not exceed the breakdown potential of the oxide layer. When this threshold was breached, the morphology of the oxide layer changed markedly, which is typical of PEO. A significant amount of silicon, in the form of amorphous silica, was incorporated into the oxide coatings under these conditions compared with the amount obtained with conventional anodising. This surface modification technique led to an improvement in the corrosion resistance of niobium in Ringer’s solution, regardless of the imposed process conditions.     

Study of anodizing process on aluminium foam to improve the corrosion behavior

Aluminium foam is obtained by the production of air into metallic melt. This material shows a very low density together with good mechanical properties, high impact energy absorption, and fire resistance. Different production ways to obtain metallic foam are possible. Considering the cost, the Alporas process is particularly interesting. By means of this production method, a block of metallic foam with close cells is obtained. By slicing, foam panels are obtained. The mechanical cut promotes the formation of an open cells texture on the surface. In this last case, the complex morphology of aluminium foam could be a critical point considering the corrosion behavior in aggressive environments, where localized corrosion phenomena, as pitting or crevice corrosion, are likely to occur. The anodizing treatment is one of the most used methods to improve the corrosion resistance of aluminium and aluminium alloys. The aim of this paper is to perform an anodization treatment to enhance the corrosion resistance of aluminium foam. Constant voltage anodization (12 V for 60 min) and pulsed current anodization (0.04 A/cm² for 60 seconds and 0.01 A/cm² for 15 seconds, repeated for 15 cycles) have been carried out in 15 wt% H₂SO₄ at 20°C. The anodized samples are observed in cross section by optical and electronic microscopes to investigate the structure of the anodic oxide layer and the presence of defects and to measure the thickness of the layer. The corrosion protection performance and the compactness of layers are evaluated using acetic salt spray test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.     

Surface characteristics of AZ91D alloy anodized with various conditions

Anodic oxidation of an AZ91D magnesium alloy was carried out in an attempt to increase the corrosion resistance. The alloy was placed in an electrolyte containing 0.1 M sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃), 2.0 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 0.1 M sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄), and treated with a current density of 100–400 mA/cm² for 1 to 4 min. After the anodic oxidation treatment, the surface characteristics were analyzed by SEM, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and a surface roughness tester. The corrosion resistance was determined by measuring the corrosion potential and corrosion current density using potentiodynamic polarization in a 3.5 wt% NaCl electrolyte solution. Although the anodic oxidation treatment with the base electrolyte resulted in an arrival voltage ranging from 60 to 70 V, the addition of silicate tended to reduce this arrival voltage by approximately 10–20 V and decrease the critical voltage required for the formation of a porous oxide film. The pore size and film thickness increased with increasing applied current and treatment time. The addition of silicate to the electrolyte resulted in films with a homogeneous pore size and a film thickness increasing with the increasing applied current and treatment time. XRD showed the formation of a new MgO and Mg₂SiO₄ phase. The formation of Mg₂SiO₄ was attributed to the presence of SiO₄^4? in the film. After the addition of silicate, the corrosion potential increased and corrosion current decreased, resulting in improved corrosion resistance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergetic effect of sol–gel silica coating and physical/chemical pre-treatment on the oxidation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The Ti-6Al-4V alloy was treated in concentrated phosphoric acid solution and by powder blasting, respectively, subsequently coated by silica using sol–gel dip-coating technique. A barrier layer of titanium pyrophosphate (TiP₂O₇) was synthesized at the Ti-6Al-4V substrate surface after the heat treatment. XRD and SEM/EDS analysis revealed that an amorphous silica coating was formed on the alloy. The isothermal and cyclic oxidation behavior of the treated alloy with silica coating and the corresponding bare alloy was investigated at 600 °C in static air to investigate the synergetic effect of the SiO₂ coating and surface treatment on the oxidation resistance of the alloy by thermogravimetry. The average parabolic rate constants of the treated specimens with silica coating were greatly reduced. The stratified oxide layer formed on the bare alloy, while thinner oxide layer formed on the treated alloys with silica coating. The oxidation resistance of the present alloy was improved. The effect of silica coating on the microhardness of the substrate was investigated.     

Performance of Al alloys following excimer LSM—anodising approaches

The potential application of laser surface melting (LSM) as a pre‐treatment prior to conventional anodising in sulfuric acid electrolyte has been evaluated. For this purpose, AA2050‐T8 (Al? Cu? Li) and AA2024‐T351 (Al? Cu? Mg) aerospace alloys were compared. For LSM, a KrF excimer laser (248 nm) was used, with variation of the number of pulses received per unit area. After LSM, the specimens were anodised at a constant voltage of 12 V in 0.46 M H₂SO₄ for different times from 4 to 20 min, followed by sealing in boiling water for 30 min. Material characterisation, in terms of surface morphology, microstructural and laser‐induced phase transformations, was performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopies (TEMs). The corrosion behaviour was evaluated using the ASTM G34‐01 EXCO test at 25 °C for 6 h. The results showed that excimer LSM, used as a pre‐treatment prior to anodising, greatly improved the anodising performance, through the dissolution of intermetallic phases in the near‐surface alloy. Further, different exfoliation susceptibility was observed by comparing both alloys, being strongly dependent on the presence and distribution of the main constituent phases, e.g. T₁ (Al₂CuLi) and S (Al₂CuMg) phases, for AA2050‐T8 and AA2024‐T351, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of hardness and anti-corrosion behavior of mild steel by plasma sprayed coating of Al2O3/GO composite

A robust and fast non-transferred plasma torch method was employed for developing coating of alumina (A₂O₃) and alumina/graphene oxide (A₂O₃/GO) on mild steel. Micro Raman analysis of GO confirms its spectroscopic behavior. The energy band gap of GO was determined as 3.44 eV. The successful coating formation of A₂O₃ and A₂O₃/GO (0.5 wt%) on mild steel was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Microhardness of mild steel was found to increase about 43.75% after coating with A₂O₃/GO (0.5 wt%) composite. The microstructure of A₂O₃/GO (0.5 wt%) coated mild steel represents better quality of coating and improved structural behavior. Mild steel becomes more corrosive resistance by reduction of corrosion potential (less negative than −0.05 V) after A₂O₃/GO (0.5 wt%) coating on it.     

Effects of Ca and Ag addition and heat treatment on the corrosion behavior of Mg-7Sn alloys in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution

The effects of 1 wt.% Ca or 1 wt.% Ca + 1 wt.% Ag addition and heat treatment on the corrosion behavior of Mg-7Sn (wt.%) alloy in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests. The alloys were characterized by optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that all alloys were corroded by pitting corrosion and grain boundary corrosion and further corroded with time going. Loose layers of compounds, including Mg (OH)₂, MgO, SnO₂, and other compounds containing Ca and Ag elements, were calibrated on the surface of corroded Mg-7Sn-1Ca-1Ag alloy. The Ca addition improved the corrosion resistance of Mg-7Sn alloy due to the formation of relatively stable compounds containing calcium element and grains refinement. Furthermore, the solid solutioned alloys obtained a superior corrosion resistance due to the dissolve of eutectic Mg₂Sn phase and homogenization treatment. However, the aging treatment is slightly detrimental to the corrosion resistance of Mg-7Sn alloys with the formation of Mg₂Sn precipitates. In conclusion, the aged Mg-7Sn-1Ca-1Ag alloy exhibited a better corrosion resistance and a noticeable micro-hardness property compared with those of as-cast Mg-7Sn alloy. And this study provides an important idea for the research on the comprehensive properties of Mg-Sn alloys.     

Effect of surface treatments on the localized corrosion resistance of the AA2198-T8 aluminum lithium alloy welded by FSW process

In this work, the effect of eight types of surface treatments on the corrosion resistance of friction stir welded samples of an AA2198-T8 Al-Cu-Li alloy were tested and compared in an attempt to find suitable alternatives to toxic and carcinogenic hexavalent chromium treatments. All the samples were anodized and subjected to different post-anodizing treatments. The post-anodizing treatments were (1) hydrothermal treatment in Ce (NO₃)₃ 6H₂O solution; (2) hydrothermal treatment in Ce (NO₃)₃ 6H₂O solution with H₂O₂; (3) hydrothermal treatment in boiling water; (4) hexavalent chromium conversion coating; and (5) immersion in BTSE (bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl) ethane. The corrosion resistance of the treated samples was evaluated by immersion tests in sodium chloride solution (0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaCl) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the friction stir weldment. The results showed that among the alternative treatments, the Ce-containing solutions presented the best corrosion resistance, especially when used without peroxide.     

Fabrication of irregular-layer-free and diameter-tunable Ni–Ti–O nanopores by anodization of NiTi alloy

Ni–Ti–O nanopores (NPs) free of irregular surface layers and with tunable diameters are prepared by anodizing NiTi alloy in glycerol containing H₂O and NaCl. In an electrolyte composed of glycerol, 10 vol% H₂O and 0.6 M NaCl, NPs with diameters between 23 and 39 nm can be produced at anodization voltages between 20 and 80 V. In this electrolyte system, the irregular oxide layer on the surface can be completely removed chemically and/or mechanically during anodization. The resulting Ni–Ti–O NPs with tunable diameters should prove useful, for example, in energy, environmental and biomedical applications.     

Use of a carbon nanocage as a catalyst support in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

The corrosion-resistance of a carbon nanocage used as a catalyst support in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell was investigated by measuring CO₂ generation using on-line mass spectrometry at a constant potential of 1.4 V for 30 min. Polarization curves of membrane electrode assemblies containing Pt/carbon nanocage were obtained and used to evaluate performance degradation. The carbon nanocage was found to possess significant resistance to electrochemical corrosion, exhibiting low performance degradation of only about 2.3% after the corrosion test. This high corrosion resistance is attributed both to the strong hydrophobic nature of the surface and the graphitic structure of the carbon nanocage.     

TiO2 nanotube array film prepared by anodization as anode material for lithium ion batteries

TiO₂ array film fabricated by potentiostatic anodization of titanium is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and charge–discharge measurements. The XRD results indicated that the TiO₂ array is amorphous, and after calcination at 500 °C, it has the anatase form. The pore size and wall thickness of TiO₂ nanotube arrays synthesized at different anodization voltages are highly dependent on the applied voltage. The electrochemical performance of the prepared TiO₂ nanotube array as an electrode material for lithium batteries was evaluated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement. The sample prepared at 20 V shows good cyclability but low discharge capacity of 180 mA h cm⁻³, while the sample prepared at 80 V has the highest discharge capacity of 340 mA h cm⁻³.     

Oxygen addition effects on electrochromic properties of PECVD-synthesized WO x C y films for flexible electrochromic devices

An investigation was conducted into the electrochromic properties of organotungsten oxide WO _x C _y films synthesized onto 60 Ω/□ flexible polyethylene terephthalate/indium tin oxide substrates using low temperature, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) at varying oxygen concentrations. The PECVD-synthesized WO _x C _y films were proven to offer remarkable electrochromic performance. Cyclic voltammetry switching measurements revealed that only low driving voltages from −1 to 1 V are needed to provide reversible Li⁺ ion intercalation and de-intercalation in a 0.1 M LiClO₄–PC electrolyte. Light modulation with transmittance variation of up to 72.9% and coloration efficiency of 62.5 cm²/C at a wavelength of 650 nm was obtained.     

Correction to: The effect of small silver inclusions on the palladium activity in formicacid oxidation reaction and corrosion stability

A PdAg deposit containing ~ 25 at.% Ag is obtained by the electrochemical codeposition from an aqueous solution of Pd and Ag sulfates (Au support, 0.5 M H₂SO₄). The deposit is characterized by means of various physical, physicochemical, and electrochemical methods. The PdAg deposit demonstrates the ~ 2 times higher specific activity (per the electrochemically active surface area (EASA) of Pd) in the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) as compared with the individual Pd deposit prepared under the same conditions. The effect of silver additions on the palladium activity depends on many factors. The corrosion stability of PdAg is studied in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution based on the overall cyclic voltammograms (CVAs) and also on anodic and cathodic half-cycles in the region E = 0.3 − 1.25 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). The electrochemical estimates are compared with the results of direct analytical determination of dissolution products in solution after anodic polarization of deposits. The total amounts of Pd dissolved substantially increase with incorporation of Ag, which is associated, first of all, with the considerable increase in the EASA; at the same time, the specific dissolution of Pd also substantially increases. The possible factors determining the active dissolution of PdAg deposits are discussed; in particular, the specific mechanism of their dissolution via silver adatoms is proposed.

     

Corrosion behavior of tantalum alloying on γ‐TiAl by double‐glow plasma surface metallurgy technique

The Ta coating with corrosion resistance is grown on the γ‐TiAl substrate by double‐glow plasma surface metallurgy technique, followed by the electrochemical test in 10 wt%, 20 wt% HCl and 10 wt%, 40 wt% H₂SO₄ solution. The data of nanohardness and elastic modulus are collected by the nanoindention test. The adhesion strength of Ta coating is investigated by means of the scratch test. The study of corrosion resistance is performed using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and measured by SEM and X‐ray diffraction. Results highlight that the Ta coating is tightly bonded to the γ‐TiAl substrate, consisting of the deposition layer and diffusion layer. Experimental data indicate that the Ta coating presents excellent corrosion resistance, which is confirmed by the high values of polarization resistance (R_p) and the low values of corrosion current density (i_corr). The surface nanohardness of the Ta coating is improved from 3.41 to 7.29 GPa, nearly twice of that of the substrate. The Ta₂O₅ formed on the coating is able to hold back the penetration of adverse ions inwardly, owing to its dense structure and adhesion effect. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural characterisation of heat-treated anodic alumina membranes prepared using a simplified fabrication process

A facile method for forming porous anodic alumina membranes based on one-step anodising in sulphuric acid is reported. A flat and well-ordered basal surface incorporating uniformly sized pores was obtained without the need for electrolytic polishing. Excess metallic aluminium was removed from the film using a saturated solution of iodine in methanol. The high-temperature properties of the oxide ceramic membranes were investigated using thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. At 970 °C the amorphous alumina crystallises to γ-Al₂O₃ with the release of SO₂ and O₂. Finally at 1228 °C the alumina converts into the thermodynamically preferred phase, corundum. The pore structure of the oxide membrane was found to be very stable at elevated temperatures, suggesting applications in materials synthesis, catalysis and gas separation.     

Orthophosphoric acid solutions of sodium orthovanadate,sodium tungstate,and sodium molybdate as potential corrosion inhibitors of the Al2Cu intermetallic phase

Orthophosphoric acid solutions of sodium orthovanadate, sodium tungstate, and sodium molybdate are tested as potential corrosion inhibitors of the Al₂Cu intermetallic phase. Corrosion inhibition is observed for 0.2 M solutions of Na₃VO₄ and Na₂WO₄ by increasing the pH to > 2. When the pH is < 2, the aforementioned salts increase the corrosion rate of the intermetallic phase. A 0.2 M solution of Na₃VO₄ causes the precipitation of vanadium phosphate on the surface of the Al₂Cu phase at pH = 1.