Synergistic effect of chloride and NO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of bronze

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of chloride along with NO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of bronze using exposure tests.

Design/methodology/approach

Surface tension tests and electrochemical impedance measurements together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive atomic X‐ray, and X‐ray diffraction are used to characterize the corrosion behavior.

Findings

The results of the weight loss measurements show that the whole corrosion kinetics can be described approximately by: ΔW=atb; the synergistic effect of chloride and NO₂ is observed clearly, though no nitrate existed in the corrosion products.

Originality/value

A new catalyst theory has been suggested in this paper, i.e. that NO₂ acts as a catalyst during the corrosion process when significant quantities of chloride also are present.

Citation

Cao, X., Wang, N. and Liu, N. (2009), "Synergistic effect of chloride and NO₂ on the atmospheric corrosion of bronze", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 56 No. 6, pp. 299-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/00035590911000269