Electrochemical Properties of Ferrite and Cementite in Relation to Stress Corrosion of Mild Steels in Nitrate Solutions Available to Purchase

Polarization studies were carried out both at an iron electrode and an iron electrode having a surface layer of cementite. Anodic and cathodic polarization curves were compared in nitrate and chloride solutions and the effect of temperature and the addition of acid was examined also. The Fe₃C electrode was found to undergo relatively little cathodic polarization at low current densities and the cementite was thought to be acting as an efficient site tor cathodic discharge during the corrosion reaction.