Synchrotron Studies of Localized Corrosion

Highly intense synchrotron X-rays are an ideal probe for investigating the structure and chemistry of localized corrosion sites in situ and in real time.  Investigations of the chemistry and structure of 1D artificial pits has shown the presence of salt films on dissolving surfaces, which can be imaged with radiography, and the crystal structure determined with X-ray diffraction.  Both methods highlight the dynamic nature of these films, which show significant temporal and spatial variation.  Radiography can also be used to study the evolution of pit morphology in 2D through investigations of pits in the edges of metal foils.  Real time growth of 3D pits is accessible with microtomography, which shows the interaction between pit morphology and alloy microstructure.