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Title: Deterministic analysis of processes at corroding metal surfaces and the study of electrochemical noise in these systems

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6074547· OSTI ID:6074547

Electrochemical corrosion is pervasive in virtually all engineering systems and in virtually all industrial circumstances. Although engineers now understand how to design systems to minimize corrosion in many instances, many fundamental questions remain poorly understood and, therefore, the development of corrosion control strategies is based more on empiricism than on a deep understanding of the processes by which metals corrode in electrolytes. Fluctuations in potential, or current, in electrochemical systems have been observed for many years. To date, all investigations of this phenomenon have utilized non-deterministic analyses. In this work it is proposed to study electrochemical noise from a deterministic viewpoint by comparison of experimental parameters, such as first and second order moments (non-deterministic), with computer simulation of corrosion at metal surfaces. In this way it is proposed to analyze the origins of these fluctuations and to elucidate the relationship between these fluctuations and kinetic parameters associated with metal dissolution and cathodic reduction reactions. This research program addresses in essence two areas of interest: (a) computer modeling of corrosion processes in order to study the electrochemical processes on an atomistic scale, and (b) experimental investigations of fluctuations in electrochemical systems and correlation of experimental results with computer modeling. In effect, the noise generated by mathematical modeling will be analyzed and compared to experimental noise in electrochemical systems. 1 fig.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-89ER45388
OSTI ID:
6074547
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/45388-1; ON: DE91009997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English