Electrochemical Approach on the Corrosion During the Cavitation of Additive Manufactured Commercially Pure Titanium

Abstract

The effect of passive film on corrosion of metals and alloys in a static corrosive environment has been studied by many researchers and is well known, however few studies have been conducted on the electrochemical measurement of metals and alloys during cavitation corrosion conditions, and there are no test standards for electrochemical measurements ‘During cavitation’ conditions. This study used commercially additive manufactured(AM) pure titanium in tests of anodic polarization, corrosion potential measurements, AC impedance measurements, and repassivation. Tests were performed in 3.5% NaCl solution under three conditions, ‘No cavitation’, ‘After cavitation’, and ‘During cavitation’ condition. When cavitation corrosion occurred, the passive current density was greatly increased, the corrosion potential largely lowered, and the passive film revealed a small polarization resistance. The current fluctuation by the passivation and repassivation phenomena was measured first, and this behavior was repeatedly generated at a very high speed. The electrochemical corrosion mechanism that occurred during cavitation corrosion was based on result of the electrochemical properties ‘No cavitation’, ‘After cavitation’, and ‘During cavitation’ conditions.