An experimental case study on corrosion characterization of Cu46Zr40Ti8.5Al5.5 metallic glass

Abstract In the present work, a novel Cu46Zr40Ti8.5Al5.5 metallic glass is synthesized by melt spun technique and investigated for corrosion behavior at various molar concentrations in acidic, neutral and alkaline solutions (at different pH levels), using potentiodynamic polarization experiment and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Surface morphology and composition analysis after corrosion test were carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results indicate that corrosion resistance decreases with increase in chloride ion concentration in case of acidic and neutral media. However, in case of alkaline solution, corrosion resistance is found to be similar for pH 8 and pH 10, but is observed to decrease at pH 12. Melt spun sample was highly susceptible to pitting corrosion at higher molarity in acidic and neutral solution as observed from SEM analysis. EDS results indicate depletion of galvanically active metals (Al > Ti > Zr) from pit interior. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to study the influence of Al in corrosion behavior of the sample.