Size Effects in Corrosion of Thin Steel Films in Alkaline (NaOH) Environments in the Magnetic Field

Abstract

Thin films of iron and iron-containing materials are promising for applications in spin electronics and nanotechnologies. The lifetime of items made of these films depends on their corrosion resistance under the magnetic fields induced by flowing currents. The corrosion of thin low-carbon steel films in acid (HCl) and salt (NaCl) water solutions, seawater, and maritime air was studied previously. This paper considers the corrosion characteristics of thin films (electrode potential, corrosion current and rate, controlling factor) in an alkaline NaOH solution. It is shown that all these parameters depend on film thickness both with and without a constant magnetic field. The influence of the magnetic field is due to variation in properties of the films and NaOH solution.