Effects of Applied Magnetic Field on Corrosion of Beryllium Copper in NaCl Solution

Abstract

The effects of an applied magnetic field on the corrosion process of beryllium copper in NaCl solution have been investigated by electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that a horizontal magnetic field with 0.4 T barely shifted the open circuit potentials (Ecorr) of beryllium copper in NaCl solution with different concentrations. However, the horizontal magnetic field increased the limiting current density of beryllium copper in NaCl solution with low concentration, while decreased the limiting current density of beryllium copper in NaCl solution with high concentration. It was found that magnetic field accelerated the diffusion of CuCl2− away from the electrode surface and delayed the formation of Cu2O. The results of SEM and EDS showed that the influence of magnetic field over the elements distribution of the corrosion products differed from the different concentration of the immersion solution.