An Electrochemical Study of Aluminum Corrosion in Boiling High Purity Water
Abstract An equation relating current and electrochemical potential has been derived on the basis of a physical model of the corrosion process. In the model, the total potential drop from metal to solution is the sum of potential contributions arising from the interfacial reactions at the metal-oxide and oxide-solution interfaces and that which derives from the transport of charged species through the film. On the basis of some simplifying assumptions, the derived equation reduces to ΔE = IR + Ksℓn (1 + ID), where R and D are complex constants and Ks is equal to RT/αzF for the liberation of hydrogen at the surface of the protective layer. This equation has been fitted successfully to experimental data. Assigning the value usually attributed to α for the hydrogen reaction, 1/2, optimum values of the constants were found to vary reasonably with time. If a value of α is not assigned, the equation can be fitted to experimental data over a wide range of values for the three constants. Polarization measurements alone are not sufficient to determine unequivocal values for the constants, hence a determination of the mechanism of the aqueous oxidation of aluminum will require additional independent measurements.