Abstract
Pit initiation at the passive alloy Fe5 Cr was studied and compared to the results obtained with pure iron. At constant electrode potential the addition of chloride to the solution increases the dissolution rate of Fe(III). Above the critical pitting potential the first pits develop during a time of incubation after addition of chloride. The total current density and the dissolution rate of Fe(II) rise simultaneously and suddenly. The logarithm of the times of incubation increase linearly with the reciprocal of the difference between the actual electrode potential and the pitting potential. Galvanostatic experiments show that, with Fe 5 Cr as with iron, chloride catalyzes the transfer reaction of oxygen ions at the interface between oxide and electrolyte more strongly than the dissolution of Fe(III). Addition of chloride. The total current density and the dissolution rate of Fe(II) rise simultaneously and suddenly. The logarithm of the times of incubation increase linearly with the actual electrode potential and the pitting potential. Galvanostatic experiments show that, with Fe5Cr as with iron, chloride catalyzers the transfer reaction of oxygen ions at the interface between oxide and electrolyte more strongly than the dissolution of Fe(III). Addition of Chromium lowers the current efficiency of Fe(III) dissolution and favors oxide growth. The ionic conductivity of the passivating oxide is not significantly changed by chloride but is lowered by chromium. Fluctuations connected to the onset of pitting are slower with Fe 5 Cr than with iron.