(385f) Electrochemical Study on the Corrosion of Structural Materials

The compatibility of stainless steel 304 with molten eutectic carbonate salts Li₂CO₃ + K₂CO₃ was investigated at various temperatures using electrochemical methods including linear polarization resistance (LPR), Tafel, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was observed that an oxidation layer was formed on the alloy surface. With increasing temperature, the oxide layer will be dissolved with reduced corrosion resistance. The EIS showed that the attack on the alloy was uniform and not localized. The electrochemical techniques are promising to evaluate the corroding structural materials as a fast, nondestructive, and reliable way.