Chapter 3 BASICS OF CORROSION （第三章基本腐蚀）.pdf

Chapter 3 BASICS OF CORROSION MEASUREMENTS Mixed-Potential Theory. The mixed potential-theory (1) consists of two simple hypothesis: (1) any electrochemical reaction can be divided into two or more partial oxidation and reduction reactions and (2) there can be no net accumulation of electric charge during an electrochemical reaction. It can be experimentally demonstrated that electrochemical reactions are composed of two or more partial oxidation or reduction reactions. The second hypothesis is a restatement of the law of conservation of charge. It follows that during the corrosion of an electrically isolated metal sample, the total rate of oxidation must equal the total of reduction. Corrosion involves the destructive attack of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment. Usually corrosion consists of a set of redox reactions that are electrochemically in nature. The metal is oxidized to corrosion products at anodic sites: M ⇔ M +2 + 2e− (1) and hydrogen is reduced at the cathodic sites, 2H + + 2e− ⇔ H 2 (2) Because of the electrochemical nature of most corrosion processes, electrochemical methods are useful tools for studying corrosion (1-5). More specifically, electrochemical techniques can be used to measure the kinetics of electrochemical processes (e.g., corrosion rates) in specific environment and also to measure and control the oxidizing power of the environment. The current potential relationship of a mixed-couple system is shown in Figure (3.1). The equilibrium potentials of t