An in situ sample preparation cell used to transfer an electrochemical ly prepared sample without contacting the laboratory environment to the UHV chamber for XPS and AES analysis has enabled characterization of the chemistry of steel surfaces in alkaline environments simulating the conditions of the cathodic disbond. Air transfer is shown to alter the highly reduced surfaces. Results demonstrate that the predominant species on the steel surface under typical cathodic disbonding conditions is Fe3O4. It is unlikely that oxide reduction or dissolution represents the rate determining step in the cathodic disbonding process. An alternative mechanism is proposed.

Subject
Steel surfaces, Water, Electrochemical cells, Oxides, Iron, Silica, X-ray spectroscopy, Cathodic disbondment, Polymers, Steel, Oxygen, Electrolytes, Samples
© 1991 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1991
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.