Structure and Composition of the Passive Film Studied Using a Combination of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Characteristics of the passive film and the ability of an alloy to repassivate in any event of passive film breakdown control the corrosion. Studying the passive film has been of great interest since late 1836 when first-time iron was called altered iron. Significant progress in understanding the passive film composition and factors causing breakdown, pit growth and repassivation has been made over the past several decades. However, the role of metallurgical parameters on the passive film structure, composition, crystallinity, chloride ion interaction needs further research attention. The composition and structure of the passive film in Al alloys and stainless steels have been studied using advanced analytical techniques with high depth and spatial resolution have been presented herein. We have used a combination of time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy to study the passive film and pits. The surface film was studied after potentiostatic polarization as well as immersion tests in NaCl solution with immersion time varying from 30 minutes to four weeks. The crystallinity of the passive film was dependent on the composition and microstructure of the alloy. The incorporation of chloride and its distribution in the passive film was dependent on the material and conditions used to produce the passive film. The thickness of the passive film was found to depend on the microstructure of the underlying substrate. The role of the microstructure on passive film structure, breakdown, and repassivation or pit growth will be discussed.