CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction

materials

Practical Corrosion

Petrica Banea
Coen Smits

4125525
4039688
1

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Question 1.
Give a summary table of all measurement data and observations schematically of
both the agar experiments, the oxygen cell and the i-E values of zinc and steel. Also
note the observations of the passivation of the nail.
Set-up
A

Copper rod + steel nail in agar

Platinum wire + steel nail in agar

Zinc bar + steel nail in agar

Platinum wire + steel nail in agar, not

short-circuited and 0,5V over them

Platinum wire + steel nail in agar, not

short-circuited and 2V over them

Hammered nail with the head down in

agar

Passivated and filed nail in agar

Two nails in sea water

Visual result

The agar turned blue at the nail and

pink at the copper rod
The agar turned pink at the nail and
white at the zinc bar
The agar turned blue at the nail and
pink at the platinum wire
The agar turned half blue / half pink
at the nail and stayed yellow at the
platinum wire
The agar turned pink at the nail and
green/blue at the platinum wire

The agar turned blue around the

hammered head and pink around the
rest of the nail

At the filed tip, the agar turned blue,

at the unfiled and passivated part, the
agar turned pink
The water at both sides became a bit
rusty.

Measurements of potential differences between 2 nails in salt water after adding pure
oxygen to the water:
T (s)
0
180
300
420
540

Potential difference
-123mV
-52,5mV
-42,7mV
-36,1mV
-32,1mV

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Measurements of the potential difference in seawater between a zinc- and a reference

electrode:
Amperage
0mA
2mA
4mA
6mA
8mA
10mA
15mA
20mA
25mA

Zn

30mA

Potential (V)

-1,065
-1,042
-1,039
-1,033
-1,029
-1,024
-1,016
-1,009
-1,005

Zn(changed polarity)

-1,081
-1,117
-1,184
-1,203
-1,359
-1,394
-1,434
-1,436
-1,445
we couldnt read this
because we couldnt reach
-1,001 the 30mA to do the reading

Same for the steel electrode and the reference material:

Amperage
0mA
2mA
4mA
6mA
8mA
10mA
15mA
20mA
25mA
30mA

Fe

Curent (V)

-0,671
-0,631
-0,613
-0,601
-0,59
-0,582
-0,566
-0,553
-0,543
-0,534

Fe(changed polarity)
-0,711
-0,846
-0,897
-0,918
-0,935
-0,96
-1,168
-1,22
-1,244
-1,264

We also passivated a nail by putting a cleaned nail in Nitric acid. When we did this, for a
very short moment some yellow/brown gas appeared and then nothing happened
anymore. This seemed to be the passivation process.

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Question 2.
Answer all the questions from the Experimental Procedure in the right order
Question: Under what conditions will they cause a color change?
-

Phenolphtalein will turn pink when the pH of the solution rises to between 8,2 and
12.
Potassium ferricyanide turns blue in the presence of Fe2+ ions

Question: What will be roughly the temperature of the nail?

900 degrees Celsius

Question: What gas will evolve during the etching of the nails? Give the reaction equation.
Hydrogen. 2Fe (s) + 6HCl (aq) 2FeCl3 (aq) + 3H2 (g)

Question: Which reaction will occur during passivation of the nail?

Fe + 4HNO3 Fe(NO3)3 + 2H2O + NO

Question: Which nail has the lowest potential after O2 gas is blown through the solution?
Which reactions will occur during the O2 gas bubbling? Which nail is then the cathode?
Negative values The nail at the red wire has the lowest potential and is therefore the
anode. The nail at the black wire is the cathode.
At the anode, oxidation will occur:
Fe Fe2+ + 2e

At the cathode, reduction happens:

O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OH-

Question: Which form of corrosion prevention is taking place now?

Cathodic protection by using a sacrificial metal (zinc) which corrodes easier than the
main metal (steel).

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Question 3.
Give a complete explanation of the observed corrosion phenomena with the agar
experiments.
Setup A
In setup A a steel nail and a copper rod were short-circuited
placed in the agar. The result after 2 days was pink colored
agar around the copper rod and dark blue agar around the nail.
The indicators used show that around the copper, reduction
occurred (the amount of OH- increased and rose the pH) and
around the nail oxidation occurred (Potassium ferricyanide
proofed the existence of Fe2+ ions).
At the anode (steel, oxidation):
Fe Fe2+ + 2e

At the cathode (copper, reduction):

O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OHSetup B

In setup B, a zinc bar replaced the copper rod. Since zinc is less
noble than steel, oxidation in this case occurred at the zinc bar
and reduction occurred at the steel nail. The agar around the
steel nailed turned pink, proofing the existence of OH- and
turned white around the zinc bar. The white color is caused by
Zn2+ ions, which were lost to the solution.
At the anode (zinc, oxidation):
Zn Zn2+ + 2e

At the cathode (steel, reduction):

O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OHSetup C

In setup C, the zinc bar was replaced. This time a platinum wire
was short-circuited with the nail and both were put in the agar.
Reduction occurred around the platinum wire, oxidation
occurred at the steel nail.
At the anode (steel, oxidation):
Fe Fe2+ + 2e

At the cathode (platinum, reduction):

O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OH6

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Setup D
For this setup, we used the same setup as in setup C, but now
removed the short circuit plug and a voltage of 0,5V was
connected to the 2 electrodes. Because we chose the nail to be
the cathode (black pole), we expected a cathodic reaction at this
side. But since the platinum wire is more noble, this side could
also be expected to be the cathodic side. After 2 days, a bit of
both occurred. At the surface of the agar reduction- and at the tip
of the nail, oxidation occurred.
The platinum wire is no longer protected now, since no OHappeared in the solution.

At the steel nail, both reduction and oxidation:

Fe Fe2+ + 2e
O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OHAt the platinum wire (clearly the cathode):
Pt Pt2+ + 2e

Setup E

Same as setup D, now with a higher voltage (2V instead of 0,5V).

This time, the steel nail is fully protected, since no only the pink
colored indicator appeared.
At the cathode (steel, reduction):
O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OH-

At the anode (platinum, oxidation)

Pt Pt2+ + 2e

Setup F

In this setup, only a nail is placed in the agar. The nail is

hammered at the head, and placed upside down into the agar. In
this case, the nail is its own anode and cathode at once. As seen
in the picture on the right, the killed steel oxidated so strong that
the unkilled steel is protected by it.
At the tip (anodic, oxidation):
Fe Fe2+ + 2e

At the agar surface (cathodic, reduction):

O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OH-

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Setup G
Same as setup H, but now we placed a passivated nail with a filed
tip. By passivation, a protective layer appeared around the nail,
with filing we removed this at the tip of the nail. The result is the
same as in setup H.
At the tip (anodic, oxidation):
Fe Fe2+ + 2e

At the agar surface (cathodic, reduction):

O2 + 2H2O +4e 4OHSetup H

In this case we placed 2 nails in seawater and short-circuited

them. Since there were no indicators in the seawater, oxidation
or reduction cant be proofed, but it was clear that oxidation at
both nails occurred since rust was in the water at both nails.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fe Fe2+ + 2e
O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OHFe2+ + 2OH- Fe(OH)2
4 Fe(OH)2 + O2 2 (Fe2O3 x H2O) + 2H2O

Fe2O3 is rust, which we saw.

Question 4.

Give an explanation of the oxygen-cell by answering the next questions.

4a. Which reactions take place before O2 gas is blown through?
These reactions are as described in the previous question:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fe Fe2+ + 2e
O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OHFe2+ + 2OH- Fe(OH)2
4 Fe(OH)2 + O2 2 (Fe2O3 x H2O) + 2H2O

4b. Which reactions take place during the O2 supply?

The reduction process at the cathodic nail accelerates (eq. 2 at setup H), creating more
free electrons. These electrons accelerate the oxidation process at the other (anodic)
nail.
4c. Which nail has directly after the O2 supply the highest potential and which one is the
anode?

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

The nail next to the O2 supply is the cathode and has the highest potential. The other nail
is the anode.
4d. Explain the change of potential after the start of blowing with oxygen gas.
The free oxygen in at the cathode decreases, slowing down the creation of free electrons
and the system is trying to create an equilibrium.
Question 5.
The measured data for the electrode potential of zinc and steel in seawater can be read
in the following tables:
Current
value
i[mA]
0
3.2
4
6
8
10
15
20
25
30
Table 01

Natural
Logarithm
of i lni
1.163
1.386
1.792
2.079
2.303
2.708
2.996
3.219
3.401

Zn (zinc)
Measured Electrode Potential [V]
Normal
Inversed Polarity
polarity
-1.065
-1.081
-1.042
-1.117
-1.039
-1.184
-1.033
-1.203
-1.029
-1.359
-1.024
-1.394
-1.016
-1.434
-1.009
-1.436
-1.005
-1.445
-1.449
-1.001

Current
value
i[mA]
0
2
4
6
8
10
15
20
25
30
Table 02

Natural
Logarithm
of i lni
0.693
1.386
1.792
2.079
2.303
2.708
2.996
3.219
3.401

Fe (steel)
Measured Electrode Potential [V]
Normal
Inversed Polarity
polarity
-0.671
-0.711
-0.631
-0.846
-0.613
-0.897
-0.601
-0.918
-0.590
-0.935
-0.582
-0.960
-0.566
-1.168
-0.553
-1.220
-0.543
-1.244
-0.534
-1.264
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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Question 6.
a) According to the Table 01 and Table 02, that contains the measured data for the Zn
(zinc) electrode and Fe (steel) electrode, respectively, the Evans diagrams are
constructed as they are shown in the graphs below.
Zn-electrode: scatter data

0.000
0.000

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

5.000

-0.200

Electrode Potential [V]

-0.400
-0.600

Zn(A)

-0.800

Zn(K)

-1.000
-1.200
-1.400
-1.600

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Figure 01. Evans diagram for Zn electrode in seawater

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Fe-electrode: scatter data

0.000
0.000

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

5.000

Electrode Potential [V]

-0.200
-0.400
-0.600

Fe(A)

Fe(K)

-0.800
-1.000
-1.200
-1.400

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Figure 02. Evans diagram for Fe electrode in seawater

b)
In order to find the mixed (corrosion) potential for Zn and Fe electrode from the
diagrams, we have to linearly interpolate the existing lines. The following graphs show
the intersections of the cathodic and anodic lines through which we found the exact
values of the mixed potential as they are shown in figure 03 & 04 and later we compared
them with the measured values.
For this purpose we used the Excel graphs tool in order to plot the interpolated line of
the scattered measured data. This can be achieved by selecting the option Add
Trendline to the displayed scatters. This command is translated into a line, that has the
linear equation of the y = ax + b form.
The coordinates of the intersection point of the two Trendlines were calculated with
Excel and they represent the mixed potential (y-value Emix) and the corrosion current
(x-value icorr).

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Zn-electrode: interpolated data

-3.000 -2.000 -1.000 0.000 1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 5.000
0.000

-0.200

Electrode Potential [V]

-0.400

Zn(A)

-0.600
-0.800

Zn(K)

(0.512 , -1.05608)

y = 0.0186x - 1.0656

Emix = -1.05608

-1.000

ln(icorr) = 0.512
Linear (Zn(A))

-1.200

Linear (Zn(K))

-1.400
-1.600

y = -0.153x - 0.9778

-1.800

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Figure 03. Interpolation of the cathodic and anodic line for Zn-electrode

From the graph we can extract the linear equation of the anodic and cathodic lines and
with the help of the Goal Seek function in Data/What-if Analysis/, we are able to
calculate the coordinates of the intersection point between the two lines. This
intersection of the anodic and cathodic line for each metal will supply the mix potential
[Emix] and the corrosion current [icorr]. Therefore the values are:
-

the equation of the anodic line: y1 = 0.0186x - 1.0656

the equation of the cathodic line: y2 = -0.153x - 0.9778

x-value
0.512

y-value Emix =

x-value ln(icorr) =

y1-value
-1.056083217

y2-value
-1.056083217

0.512

icorr = eln(icorr) =

-1.056083217 V

y1-y2
0

1.668049553 mA

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Fe-electrode: interpolated data

-4.000
0.000

-2.000

0.000

-0.200
-0.400

2.000

4.000

6.000

Electrode Potential [V]

y = 0.0364x - 0.6625

Fe(A)

Fe(K)

-0.600

(0.083 , -0.65949)

-0.800

Emix = -0.65949

ln(icorr) = 0.083

-1.000

Linear (Fe(A))

Linear (Fe(K))

-1.200
-1.400

y = -0.1773x - 0.6448

-1.600

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Figure 04. Interpolation of the cathodic and anodic line for Fe-electrode

For the Fe-electrode the procedure is similar to the one for Zn-electrode. Therefore the
Emix and icorr are as follows:
-

the equation of the anodic line: y1 = 0.0364x - 0.6625

the equation of the cathodic line: y2 = -0.1773x - 0.6448

x-value
0.083

y-value Emix =
x-value ln(icorr) =

y1-value
-0.659485119

y2-value
-0.659485119

-0.659485119 V
0.083
icorr = eln(icorr) =

Calculated corrosion potential values

EmixZn =

Measured corrosion potential values

EmixZn =

EmixFe =

EmixFe =

y1-y2
0

-1.0561

-1.0510

-0.6595
-0.7030

1.086353193 mA
icorrZn =
icorrFe =

1.6680
1.0864

Comparing the results between the mixed corrosion potential and the measured values
for each metal, we can notice a slightly difference between them.
13

mA
mA

CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Question 7.
The corrosion rate (in mm/year) of the zinc (Zn) electrode is determined as follow:
For the mix potential of Zn EmixZn = - 1.0561 V,
the corrosion current is
icorrZn = 1.6680 mA
With the Faraday Law we can calculate the corrosion rate for Zn.

z The valence of the metal ion

M Molar mass
Zn Zn density
F Faradays constant
SZn the surface of the Zn-electrode
W The amount of deposited or dissolved metal

t Time
= 2;

= 65.409

= 7.14

;
3

= 12.82 ;

= 96484.56

= 60 60 24 365 = 31536000

65.409

0.001668 31536000

=
= 2
= 17.83

96484.56

17.83
3
=
= 2.499
7.14

The corrosion speed is:

2.499

=
=
10 = .
12.8

The corrosion rate (in mm/year) of the steel (Fe) electrode is determined as follow:
For the mix potential of Fe EmixZn = - 0.6595 V,
the corrosion current is
icorrZn = 1.0864 mA

With the Faraday Law we can calculate the corrosion rate for Fe.
z The valence of the metal ion
M Molar mass
Fe Fe density
F Faradays constant
SFe the surface of the Fe-electrode
W The amount of deposited or dissolved metal

t Time
= 2;

= 55.845

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

= 7.86

;
3

= 12.82 ;

= 96484.56

= 60 60 24 365 = 31536000

55.845

0.0010864 31536000

2
=
= 9.91
=

96484.56

9.91
3
=
=
= 1.261
7.86

The corrosion speed is:

1.261

=
=
10 = .
12.8

Question 8.
The corrosion rate (in mm/year) of the steel (Fe) electrode when it is short-circuited
with the zinc (Zn) electrode is as follows:

In this case, the least noble metal is then the anode. Therefore, the zinc (Zn) becomes the
anodic and steel (Fe) becomes the cathodic. Intersection can be read in the figure 05.

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Zn(A)-Fe(K)-Zn(K)-Fe(A)
-12.000 -10.000
1.500

-8.000

-6.000

-4.000

-2.000

0.000

2.000

4.000

6.000

1.000

Electrode Potential [V]

0.500
0.000
y = 0.0364x - 0.6625

-0.500

y = 0.0186x - 1.0656

-1.000

y = -0.1773x - 0.6448

-1.500

y = -0.153x - 0.9778

-2.000

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Zn(A)

Zn(K)

Fe(A)

ln(icorr)Zn(A)Fe(K) = 2.148
ln(icorr)Fe(A) = -9.977

Fe(A) (-9.977 , -1.0256)

Linear (Zn(K))
Linear (Fe(K))

Fe(K)

EmixZn(A)Fe(K) = -1.0256

Zn(A)Fe(K) (2.148 , -1.0256)

Linear (Zn(A))
Linear (Fe(A))

Figure 05. Interpolation of the cathodic and anodic line for Fe-electrode

Using the same procedure as for the Question 6, we then can find out the intersection
points of the anodic(Zn) and cathodic(Fe) line.
-

the equation of the anodic line, Zn(A): y1 = 0.0186x - 1.0656

the equation of the cathodic line, Fe(K): y2 = -0.1773x - 0.6448

x-value

y1-value

y2-value

y1-y2

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

2.148

-1.0256

y-value Emix =

-1.0256 V

x-value ln(icorr) =

2.148

-1.0256

icorr = eln(icorr) =

0
8.5680 mA

From this intersection point, we can then deduce the corrosion current on the
anodic(Fe) line.
-

the equation of the anodic line, Fe(A): y = 0.0364x -0.6625

From this equation we can find the x-value corresponding to the

corrosion current of the Fe(A), therefore x = (y+0.6625)/0.0364 = 9.977
Emix =
-1.0256 V
x-value
-9.977

y-value Emix =

x-value ln(icorr) =

y-value
-1.0256

-1.0256 V

-9.977

icorr = eln(icorr) =

With the Faraday Law we can calculate the corrosion rate for Fe.

0.000046477 mA

z The valence of the metal ion

M Molar mass
Fe Fe density
F Faradays constant
SFe the surface of the Fe-electrode
W The amount of deposited or dissolved metal

t Time
= 2;

= 55.845

= 7.86

;
3

= 12.82 ;

= 96484.56

= 60 60 24 365 = 31536000

55.845

0.000000046477 31536000

2
=
=
= 0.000424

96484.56

0.000424
3
=
= 0.0000539
7.86

The corrosion speed is:

0.0000539

=
=
10 = .

12.8

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Conclusion: After the connection of Fe with Zn, the corrosion rate of steel decreases with
a factor of 23348 times (0.985/0.0000422). The method is proving very effectively for
corrosion prevention and it shows the importance of Zn as a sacrificial metal for the
longer lasting life of steel in corrosive medium.
Question 9.
-

In order to calculate after how many days the zinc (Zn) electrode has been
sacrificed we use the Faradays law using t as the unknown value.

For the mix potential of Zn EmixZn = - 1.0256 V,

the corrosion current is
icorrZn = 8.568 mA

With the Faraday Law we can calculate the corrosion rate for Zn.

z The valence of the metal ion

M Molar mass
Zn Zn density
F Faradays constant
SZn the surface of the Zn-electrode
W The amount of deposited or dissolved metal

t Time
= 2;

= 65.409

= 7.14

;
3

= 12.82 ;

= 96484.56

= 60 60 24 = 86400

65.409

8.568 103 86400

2
=
=
= 0.251

96484.56

0.251
3
=
= 0.0351
7.14

The corrosion speed is:

2.499

=
=
10 = 0.0274
12.8

Considering that per day the Zn-electrode is corroding by 0.0351 cm3 and the total
volume of the electrode is 2 cm3, this will take 56.98 days for the Zn-electrode to
completely dissolve.

Similarly for the Fe-electrode using the results determined in question 8, (assuming that
the surface remains constant during corrosion), with a dissolve ratio of.
the Fe-electrode, which has the same dimensions as the Zn one and will dissolve in
approximately 37105 years.

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

The results presented above are an example of galvanic corrosion in which one metal (in
our case Zn) is sacrificed to protect another metal (Fe) and it can be notice the
difference between the results from question 7 and question 9, when due to the short
circuiting the Fe and Zn, the life span of Fe-electrode is increasing considerably.
Question 10.
a) Reducing the anodic surface by a factor of 3 means that the current i will get a value of i/3.
This means that the anodic line will get shifted with ln(3).
1
1
ln = ln + ln() = ln() 1.1
3

This can be noticed in the following new Evans diagram.

EmixFe = - 0.617 V,
ln(icorrFe) = -0.098 icorrFe = e-0.098= 0.9066 mA

b) If we reduce the cathodic surface with the same coefficient of ln(3) we will see in the below
Evans diagram, the shifted cathodic line, from which we extrapolate the new mixed potential
and corrosive current.
EmixFe = - 0.645 V,
ln(icorrFe) = -0.809 icorrFe = e-0.809= 0.4453 mA

c) The corrosion of the steel electrode is a cathodic-controlled process. This is obvious because

of the high steepness of the cathode compared to the anode.

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Fe-electrode: Shifted anodic and cathodic lines with ln(3)

-4.000
0.000

-2.000

0.000

2.000

4.000

-0.200

Electrode Potential [V]

-0.400

y = 0.0364x - 0.6225

-0.600

Fe(A)

Fe(K)

Fe(K)-ln(3)

-0.800

Linear (Fe(A)-ln(3))
Linear (Fe(A))

-1.000

Linear (Fe(K))

Linear (Fe(K)-ln(3))

-1.200
-1.400
-1.600

Fe(A)-ln(3)

corrosion current (lni) [mA]

Figure 06. Evans diagram of the shifted cathodic and anodic line for Fe-electrode

Question 11.
Calculate the molar volume of Fe2O3 and iron. Is the volume change such that after
oxidation of the iron a good adherence between the metal and the oxide will
occur?
Vm = M /

Iron has an atomic weight of 55,8352

Oxygen has an atomic weight of 15,99943

2 iron atoms and 3 oxygen atoms give molar mass M for Fe2Oe of 159,6887
The mass density of Iron is 7,874

The mass density of Oxygen is 0,001429

The molar volume of Fe2O3 = 30,4
The molar volume of iron = 7,092

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

2 3
30,4
=
= 4,29
7,092

4,29 > 1,8 Too large, so the oxide layer easily spalls from the surface. Result: poor
protection.
Question 12.
Also calculate the molar volume of copper and CuO. What is your conclusion about
the protective capability of the oxide?
Vm = M /

Copper has an atomic weight of 63,546

Oxygen has an atomic weight of 15,99943

CuO = 63,546 + 15,99 = 79,545
Mass density of CuO: = 6,31

3
3

Molar volume of CuO = 12,606

Mass density of copper = 8,95

The molar volume of copper = 7,092

12,606
=
= 1,78

7,092
1,2 < 1,78 < 1,8

This means the oxide layer is compact and continuous and it gives a good protection.
Question 13.
What are the reaction equations for the corrosion of steel in surface water and the
corrosion of zinc in diluted hydrochloric acid?
For the steel, the same happens as explained before:
1. Fe Fe2+ + 2e
2. O2 + 2H2O + 4e 4OH3. Fe2+ + 2OH- Fe(OH)2
4. 4 Fe(OH)2 + O2 2 (Fe2O3 x H2O) + 2H2O

For the zinc, the reaction formula describes the oxidation of zinc:

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) ZnCL2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Question 14.
a) Mix potential

Corrosion current

Emix = - 0.45 V
icorr = 10-4 A

b) 75% of anodic regions covered with inhibitor it means that the current i is 1/4i, so
log(i) is log(i/4).
y = a (logx) + b
(Emix = a log(i) + b)

Anode: -0.45 = a log(10-4/4) + b

-0.55 = a log(10-5/4) + b

a = 0.1
b = 0.0102

Cathode: -0.45 = a log(10-4) + b

-0.55 = a log(10-3) + b

a = -0.1
b = -0.85

Anode: Emix = 0.1 log(i) + 0.0102

Cathode: Emix = -0.1 log(i) -0.85

Emix = -0.42 V
icorr = 510-5A

c) Similar to the question above, but for this time the anode is unchanged, the function of
the anode is:
Anode: -0.45 = a log(10-4) + b
-0.55 = a log(10-5) + b

a = 0.1
b = 0.05

Emix = 0.1 log(i) + 0.05

Emix = -0.6V

-0.6 = 0.1 log(i) 0.05 log(icorr) = -5.5 icorr = 10-5.5 = 3.16210-6 A

= 2;

= 55.845

= 7.86

;
3

= 96484.56

= 4 5 4 + 4 4 2 = 1122 ;

= 60 60 24 365 = 31536000

55.845

3.162 106 31536000

2
=
=
= 0.0289

96484.56

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

0.0289
3
=
= 0.0037
7.86

The corrosion speed is:

0.0037

=
=
10 = .
112

d) The electric current that the power source should deliver, such that the mixed
potential should be maintained at -0.60V is:

Using the Evan diagram from figure xx, we then determine the values of ianodeFe and
icathodeFe

Figure 07. Evans diagram of the cathodic and anodic line of Fe-electrode

Fe(A) at -0.60V yields: ianodeFe =10-5.5A

Fe(K) at -0.60V yields: icathodeFe =10-2.5A

=

= 105.5 102.5 = 0.00316A

Because the anodic current is negligible compared to the cathodic one, to keep the steel
plate at -0.6V a cathodic current of 0.00316A should be flowing.

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

e) If the Fe plate is short circuited with the Al one, then the data collected from the
Evans diagram are as following:
Mix potential
Emix = - 0.65 V
icorr = 10-2 A
Corrosion current
But, in the case of the short circuit, the anodic current of the Fe-plate will have the
corresponding value of icorr = 10-6 A.

Using Faradays Law, we then calculate the corrosive rate of Fe plate.

= 2;

= 55.845

= 7.86

;
3

= 96484.56

= 4 0.5 4 + 4 4 2 = 402 ;

= 60 60 24 365 = 31536000

55.845

106 31536000

2
=
=
= 0.0009

96484.56

0.0009
3
=
= 0.00115
7.86

The corrosion speed is:

0.00115

=
=
10 = .

40

The amount of corroded Fe will decrease considerable over a year time if the Fe plate is
short circuited with Al.

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CIE 5100 Repair and maintenance of construction materials

Figure 08. Evans diagram for a certain steel and aluminum in North Sea water.

f) To determine the time in which the Al plate will dissolve, we use the Faradays Law
and calculate the corrosion rate.
26.98

102 31536000

=
= 3
= 32.664

96484.56
=

62.664
3
=
= 12.098
2.7

Vplate = 440.5 =8cm3

This means the aluminum will dissolve in 8 months

Aluminum can be used as a sacrificial anode because of its high electronegativity and
can protect the steel from corrosion.

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