Phase Detection Interferometric Microscopy of Electrode Surfaces. Measurement of Localized Dissolution of Iron Electrodes

Abstract

Phase detection interferometric microscopy (PDIM) was used to obtain high resolution surface images of 100 micro m diameter iron disk exposed to 0.1M H2SO4. The initiation and growth of corrosion pits at short time (0-30 sec) were observed on relatively smooth regions of the Fe surface (r.m.s. surface roughness approx. 5.5 nm). The growth of pits at open circuit was measured with 1 nm resolution from the time of initiation to depths of 50 nm. The rate of vertical pit growth from PDIM analysis is characterized by the rate equation, y = 0.15 t2, where y is the pit depth (NM) and t is time (s). The topography of the Fe surface surrounding the pits remained virtually unchanged during pit growth, suggesting the presence of microscopic galvanic cells on the electrode surface. Mirroelectrode; High resolution imaging; Corrosion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 05, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202311

Entities

People

  • David J. Earl
  • Harlan J. Kragt
  • Henry S. White
  • John D. Norton

Organizations

  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Detection
  • Electrochemical Cells
  • Electrochemical Reactions
  • Electrodes
  • Engineering
  • High Resolution
  • Images
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • Microelectrodes
  • Microscopes
  • Microscopy
  • Military Research
  • Optical Images
  • Surface Roughness

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.