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The aim of this study was to obtain the second generation TiO2 nanotubes on the Ti13Nb13Zr alloy. Anodic oxidation of the alloy under study was carried out in 1 M (NH4)2SO4 electrolyte under voltage-time conditions of 20 V for 120 min. The morphological parameters of the obtained nanotubes of second generation such as the length (L), internal (Di) and outer (Do) diameter of nanotube were determined. It was found that the anodic oxidation of the Ti13Nb13Zr alloy conducted under proposed conditions allowed to obtain the single-walled nanotubes of the following geometrical parameters: the internal diameter 61 nm, outer diameter 103 nm, and the length 3.9 µm. The total surface area of the single-walled nanotubes was equal to 4.1 µm 2 , and the specific surface area per cm 2 (As) was estimated to be 15.6 cm 2 /cm 2 . Formation mechanism, structure and optimal morphological parameters of the obtained single-walled nanotubes on the Ti13Nb13Zr alloy have been discussed in detail.

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Superalloys display a strong tendency toward chemical segregation during solidification. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop appropriate techniques for the melting and casting of superalloys. Elements partitioning between the c and c¢ phases in single crystal superalloys have been investigated by several authors using electron probe microanalysis (Hemmersmeier and Feller-Kniepmeier Mater Sci Eng A 248:87-97, 1998; Kearsey et al. Intermetallics 12:903-910, 2004; Kearsey et al. Superalloys 2004, pp 801-810, 2004 DÕSouza et al. Mater Sci Eng A 490:258-265, 2008). We examined the effect of the particular stages of standard heat treatment (solution treatment and ageing) applied to CMSX-4 single crystal superalloy on chemical segregation that occurs between dendrites and interdendritic areas. Dendritic structures were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Analyses of the chemical composition were performed using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The obtained qualitative and quantitative results for the concentrations of elements enabled us to confirm the dendritic segregation in as-cast CMSX-4 superalloy. The concentrations of some refractory elements (tungsten, rhenium) were much greater in dendrites than in interdendritic areas. However, these differences in chemical composition gradually decreased during heat treatment. The results obtained in this study warrant further examination of the diffusion processes of elements during heat treatment of the investigated superalloy, and of the kinetics of diffusion.

In this work, results on the influence of hydrogen on corrosion resistance and of hydrogen embrittlement of 904L superaustenitic stainless steel were investigated. The cracking behavior was studied by performing a slow strain rate test in synthetic seawater under varying cathodic polarization conditions. The results showed that the steelÕs plasticity varied with the applied cathodic current density. Significant reductions in ductility were found, indicating its susceptibility to hydrogen-assisted fracture at current density of 20 mA/ cm 2. Fractographical examinations showed that an increase in hydrogenation current density causes a stepwise decrease in ductility on the fracture surface. The effect of hydrogen on passivity and on pitting corrosion resistance was qualified with the polarization curves registered in synthetic seawater. The conclusion is that hydrogen may affect the passive film stability and thus may decrease the corrosion resistance of the studied steel. The presence of hydrogen increases corrosion current density and decreases the potential of the film breakdown. It was also found that the degree of the susceptibility to hydrogen degradation was dependent on the hydrogen charging conditions.

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Corrosion-induced damage to concrete reinforced with bars is a serious problem regarding technical and economic aspects and strongly depends on used materials, corrosion environment, and service life. Tests described in this paper refer to a two-year evaluation of the effectiveness of protection provided by zinc-coated low-carbon reinforcing steel of grade B500SP in concrete against chloride corrosion. Performed tests were comparative and included measurements conducted on four groups of concrete test elements with dimensions of 40 mm × 40 mm × 140 mm reinforced with a bar having a diameter of ϕ8 mm. Particular groups were a combination of different types of concrete with or without chloride additives, with galvanized or black steel. Chlorides as CaCl2 were added to the concrete mix in the amount of 3% of cement weight in concrete. Reinforced concrete specimens were periodically monitored within two years using the following techniques: linear polarization resistance (LPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Polarization measurements were conducted in a three-electrode arrangement, in which a rebar in concrete served as a working electrode, stainless steel sheet was used as an auxiliary electrode, and Cl−/AgCl,Ag was a reference electrode. Comparative tests of changes in the density of corrosion current in concrete specimens without chloride additives basically demonstrated no development of corrosion, and possible passivation was expected in case of black steel. Higher densities of corrosion current were observed for galvanized steel during first days of testing. The reason was the dissolution of zinc after the contact with initially high pH of concrete pore solution. Six-month measurements demonstrated a higher density of corrosion current in concrete specimens with high concentration of chlorides, which unambiguously indicated corrosion in concrete reinforced with galvanized or black steel. Densities of corrosion current determined for selected specimens dramatically decreased after an 18-month interval in measurements. Corrosion was even inhibited on black steel as an insulating barrier of corrosion products was formed. The above observations were confirmed with structural studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Results obtained from corrosion (LPR, EIS) and structural (SEM, EDS) tests on specimens of concrete reinforced with steel B500SP demonstrated a very favorable impact of zinc coating on steel by providing two-year protection against corrosion in the environment with very high chloride content.