Efficient detection of localized corrosion processes on stainless steel by means of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) using a multi-electrode approach

Swelling of Steel Film by Hydrogen Absorption at Cathodic Potential in Electrolyte

“…As mentioned earlier, it may happen or be enhanced locally, on the microscopic scale, driven by gradients in the electrochemical potential, resulting from local inhomogeneities in steel surface composition . These are—whether they originate from material composition variations, impurities, and specific features from production or processing—generally understood to be the root cause for pitting corrosion . The findings presented here shed new light on reports that hydrogen loading decreases the resistance of SS to pitting corrosion, finally leading to embrittlement …”

“…These are—whether they originate from material composition variations, impurities, and specific features from production or processing—generally understood to be the root cause for pitting corrosion . The findings presented here shed new light on reports that hydrogen loading decreases the resistance of SS to pitting corrosion, finally leading to embrittlement …”

“…In case of composite materials or alloys, such gradients arise also locally, even on the microscopic scale, because of the different nobilities, i.e., electrochemical potential of the contained elements/materials (see e.g., the study by Örnek et al). Exposed to electrolyte, local variations in nobility, i.e., variations in the electrochemical potentials, cause local potential differences, giving rise to local cathodic and anodic reactions and thus localized corrosion processes …”

“…Exposed to electrolyte, local variations in nobility, i.e., variations in the electrochemical potentials, cause local potential differences, giving rise to local cathodic and anodic reactions and thus localized corrosion processes. [3] Corrosion is typically associated with the anodic part of the reaction because of the associated oxidation and/or removal of material. However, the cathodic reaction can have a major influence on the corrosion process.…”

“…[12,13] Unfortunately, the thus-achieved protection is not perfect. SS suffers in particular from a form of corrosion, called pitting, [3,[14][15][16][17] which starts locally, on a small scale but eventually can become very destructive. The conditions and processes that initiate, govern, and/or influence the onset of corrosion, in particular, the destruction of the passive layer are subject of intense research.…”