An Approach to Mechano-Electrochemistry on a Stainless-Steel Alloy

Abstract

Galvanic couples play an important role in atmospheric corrosion, and tools enabling greater understanding of their mechanisms can better inform the development of corrosion models. This work employs UNS S13800 in a simulated atmospheric corrosion environment to explore the influence of mechanical stress on cathodic reaction kinetics. The electrochemical response of this material was measured, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization experiments, while mechanically loaded and in the unstressed state. All samples were exposed to thin electrolyte films with elevated chloride concentrations that had equilibrated to the chamber’s temperature and relative humidity. The first set of samples was cathodically polarized to different static potentials while elastic load cycles were performed at different rates. The second set of samples were similarly polarized but the applies stresses induce plastic deformation in the samples while the load cycling was performed. The time-varying ORR rates were used to monitor the mechanical influence on electrochemical kinetics.