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Tafel Plot

Tafel plots obtained using a potentiostat can provide information about corrosion rates, passivity, and pitting susceptibility of a material. The technique involves performing potentiodynamic scans by varying the potential and measuring the current response. From the resulting log-current vs. potential plot, values for corrosion current density (icorr) and corrosion potential (Ecorr) can be extrapolated. These values can then be used to calculate the corrosion rate in units of penetration per time. While Tafel plots provide data on general corrosion rates, they cannot provide information about localized corrosion forms like pitting and crevice corrosion.

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571 views2 pages

Tafel Plot

Tafel plots obtained using a potentiostat can provide information about corrosion rates, passivity, and pitting susceptibility of a material. The technique involves performing potentiodynamic scans by varying the potential and measuring the current response. From the resulting log-current vs. potential plot, values for corrosion current density (icorr) and corrosion potential (Ecorr) can be extrapolated. These values can then be used to calculate the corrosion rate in units of penetration per time. While Tafel plots provide data on general corrosion rates, they cannot provide information about localized corrosion forms like pitting and crevice corrosion.

Uploaded by

Kamal Hameed Al-taiy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FAQ - General

Q: What information can you obtain from Tafel plots relating to corrosion
measurement?
A: The use of this technique enables the electrochemist to determine information
relating to the corrosion rate, passivity and pitting susceptibility. Using the 1287A
Electrochemical Interface or the 1285A Potentiostat plots of log[I] vs. E (termed
potentiodynamic scans) may be obtained. The instrument is set to a series of predefined scan limits.
The starting point will be set depending on the nature of the information required.
It is normal to start the scan at a potential close to that of the open circuit potential
which the instrument software provides. The limits are set to scan to provide either
anodic or cathodic information.
Experimental limits determine that once a certain current density has been passed
progressing further is self defeating (i.e. anodic scan where pitting has been
initiated, or a cathodic scan where the potential is sufficiently negative for hydrogen
evolution to occur). The scan rate is typically expressed in mV/sec.
At higher scan rates the system under evaluation will not have time to stabilize at
each potential. Scanning at higher potentials will have the effect of pushing the
values obtained (icorr, Ecorr) to a more positive value. The ASTM (American
Standard of Testing and Methods) stipulates 0.1667 mV/sec (10 V/min) for the
analysis of corroding systems.
The technique can be used to determine icorr, which in turn can be used to
calculate the corrosion rate. Scans are performed close to the open circuit potential
(-200mV for an anodic scan and +200mV for a cathodic scan). The corresponding
trace must have a point where the current measured is equal to zero.
The Tafel plot extrapolated to the zero current/potential gives a set of co-ordinates
relating to Ecorr (x axis) and icorr (y axis). The icorr value may be calculated using
the Tafel constants (a + c) and Rp. The value for a can be determined by taking
the slope for the anodic portion of the curve and c for the corresponding cathodic
part.
Using the Rp value and the Stern-Geary equation the value for icorr can be
determined. The corrosion rate can then be calculated from this value in mm per
year.
Stern-Geary Equation

From the Ecorr value it is possible to obtain a value for icorr which in turn is related

directly to the rate constant of the electrode reaction.


icorr = corrosion current (A cm-2)
EW = equivalent weight of the sample (g)
d = density of sample (g cm-3)
The CorrWare software package used with the 1287A Electrochemical Interface and
1285A Potentiostat allows autotafel fitting. Individual markers are moved to the
appropriate positions on the plot and the Ecorr and icorr values calculated. If the
material density and surface area are known it is also possible to compute the
corrosion rate. The plotting of different comparable metal electrodes using the same
physical/chemical environment provides information relating to general corrosion
mechanisms and their rate. Techniques such as Tafel plots cannot be used to
provide information relating to corrosion types such as pitting and crevice
corrosion, although this information is more readily obtainable using
electrochemical noise measurement, where the current and voltage are measured
simultaneously in a static (unperturbed) system.

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