EMA 4324 Problem Set 6

6-1 [Jones 3-6] Using appropriate polarization [Evans] diagrams, determine the effect of the following
parameters on the corrosion potential and corrosion rate [CPR] of metal M corroding to M+ in an
acid solution: [a] increasing jo of the anodic reaction; [b] increasing jo of the cathodic reaction; [[c]
increasing the concentration of dissolved H+; and [d] increasing the Tafel constant for the anodic
reaction.

6-2 [Jones 3-8] [a] Plot the appropriate polarization curves for the following “half-cell” reactions and
determine the corrosion potential and corrosion rate [CPR, current density] assuming activation
control of both the anodic and cathodic processes. [b] Same as [a], but assume the limiting current
density for the reduction reaction is 10-5 A/cm2 . Again, determone the corrosion potential and
corrosion rate [CPR, current density] from your plot.

reaction ENernst, VSHE jo , A/cm2 β, V

M+1 + 1e- = M -0.70 10-8 0.1
+ -
2H + 2e = H2 0.10 10-6 0.1
My sign convention will result in a positive value for β since I define η in such
a way that it is always positive. Otherwise, β can be negative with a negative
overpotential for a process....

6-3 [Jones 3-10] Plot the polarization data shown below for an electrode of 1.13 cm2 of the metal M in
an acid solution of unit activity bubbled with pure hydrogen [unit pressure]. How might the
potentials be measured experimentally? From your plot [data, not cemetery], determine the
corrosion rate [A/cm2 ] and the exchange current density for the hydrogen reduction reaction on the
surface of metal M. Comment on the accuracy of your determinations.

Current, A Potential, V SHE Current, A Potential, V SHE

-2x10-4 -0.4843 -1x10-2 -0.6267
-5x10-4 -0.4939 -2x10-2 -0.6425
-1x10-3 -0.5075 -5x10-2 -0.7117
-2x10-3 -0.5287 -1x10-1 -0.7375
-5x10-3 -0.5663