THE ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF LEADED BRASS IN NEUTRAL CL- AND SO(4)(-) MEDIA

The electrochemical behaviour of lead brass with different leaded content in neutral chloride and sulphate solutions was investigated using the EIS technique. For comparison, the behaviour of the pure components of the alloy was investigated under the same conditions. The corrosion process was found to proceed via oxygen reduction following a diffusion controlled mechanism. The Cu electrode showed a higher polarization resistance due to film formation during oxygen reduction. Zn and Pb showed markedly lower impedance values due to continuous dissolution. The two investigated brass alloys (1.8% and 3.5% Pb, respectively) showed higher impedance values indicating the passivation of the surface in the Cl- or SO4- media. Brass II was found to be more stable against corrosion indicating the beneficial effect of the lead content in the alloy. At cathodic potentials, the only process is the oxygen reduction. Anodic polarization leads to selective dissolution of Zn. At more positive potentials simultaneous dissolution of the alloy components with the deposition of Cu(I) salt takes place leading to the passivation of the alloy surface. At higher potentials, film breakdown occurs producing Cu(II) compounds whose diffusion control the corrosion process. At potentials higher than -0.1V, pitting corrosion was observed and a transmission line type in the impedance spectra was recorded.