Electrochemical Study of the Passivation and Passive Film Breakdown of Mg70 Zn30 Metallic Glass

Anodic dc polarization measurements of glassy Mg70 Zn30 in pH=9.3 boric-borate electrolyte with and without the presence of Cl− were used to study both passive film formation and breakdown. In the absence of C− a single, broad passivation peak is observed which is very similar to that found with triply distilled Mg except that the large increase in peak potential and reduction in peak current density indicates that a more stable film has formed on Mg70 Zn30. Also observed with Mg70 Zn30 but not with Mg, Zn or other different types of crystalline Mg alloys is a large, narrow peak in the transpassive region (i.e., the region where the passive film begins to break down and/or O2 evolution commences). This process of breakdown of the passive film and further oxidation of the base metal is totally irreversible and is almost completely missing on the second and subsequent voltage sweeps. Although speculative in nature, existing evidence suggests that a phase transition has occurred within the passive film itself. In the presence of Cl− this process does not occur as passive film breakdown is initiated via a pitting mechanism at a potential nearly 2.5 Volts more negative than the onset of O2 evolution. Nevertheless, the onset of pitting is still 0.4 Volts more positive than that found for Mg indicating again that a much more protective film has formed on Mg70 Zn30