• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.223-232
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• 2010

NiTi alloy has been used for orthodontic wire due to good mechanical properties, such as elastic strength, friction resistance, and high corrosion resistance. Recently, these wire were coated by polymer and ceramic materials for aesthetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate electrochemical characteristics of tooth colored NiTi wire using various instruments. Wires (round type and rectangular type) were used, respectively, for experiment. Polymer coating was carried out for wire. Specimen was investigated with optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The corrosion properties of the specimens were examined using potentiodynamic tests (potential range of -1500 ~ 2000 mV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (frequency range of 100 kHz ~ 10 mHz) in a 0.9 % NaCl solution by potentiostat. From the results of polarization behavior, the passive region of non-coated NiTi wire showed largely, whereas, the passive region of curved NiTi wire showed shortly in anodic polarization curve. In the case of coated NiTi wire, pitting and crevice corrosion occurred severely at interface between non-coated and coated region. From the results of EIS, polarization resistance(Rp) value of non-coated round and rectangular NiTi wire at curved part showed $5.10{\times}10^5{\Omega}cm^2$ and $4.43{\times}10^5{\Omega}cm^2$. lower than that of coated NiTi wire. $R_p$ of coated round and rectangular NiTi wire at curved part showed $1.31{\times}10^6{\Omega}cm^2$ and $1.19{\times}10^6{\Omega}cm^2$.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.644-651
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• 2009

The passivation (or deactivation) of a metal surface during oxide film formation has been quantitatively explored for a ferritic stainless steel by using dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). For this purpose, the electrochemical impedance spectra were carefully examined as a function of applied potential in the active nose region of the potentiodynamic polarization curve, to separate the charge transfer resistance and oxide film resistance. From the discrepancy in the potential dependence between the experimental charge transfer resistance and the semi-empirically expected one, the degree of passivation could be quantitatively estimated. The sensitivity of passivation of the steel surface to anodic potential, which might be the measure of the quality of the oxide film formed under unit driving force or over-potential, decreased by 31% when 3.5 wt% NaCl was added to a 5 wt% $H_2SO_4$ solution.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.4 s.71
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• pp.415-423
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• 2004

To investigate the long-term corrosion resistance of an uncoated weathering steel, an important outdoor constructional steel material, skyward surfaces of the weathering steel and a control steel initially exposed to rural and industrial atmospheres for 9 years were electrochemically tested in neutral artificial rain in terms of electrochemical potentials, impedances, and anodic potentiodynamic polarization curves. Their results were then discussed. A quite passive and stable rust layer to the artificial rain was well formed on the skyward surface of the weathering steel exposed to the industrial and rural atmospheres, and its corrosion rate in the artificial rain was measured to be about a low $3{{\mu}m}/y$. Continuous immersion of all the weathered surfaces in the artificial rain revealed the gradual degradation of the weathered corrosion layers on the steel, resulting in a cathodically controlled corrosion of the substrate steel by the electrochemical measurements. Alloy components of the weathering steel were found to retard the degradation of the weathered corrosion layers on the steel in the artificial rain. For better corrosion evaluation of the weathering steel, more electrochemical measurements of surfaces that have been exposed for more than 9 years to more closely simulated atmospheric waters are needed. These measurements are almost non-destructive and can provide online and in situ information on the corrosion rate, the development of corrosion and the conditions of rust layers on any interested surface and at any exposure time of the steel, so they can be effectively applicable to the corrosion evaluation of steel structures such as bridges, towers, and architectures by forming an electrochemical cell on an interested structural surface and by using a portable electrochemical instrument.