Boundary Element Method Predictions Analysis of Galvanic Corrosion of Zinc/Steel Interface under a Thin Layer of NaCl Solution

This research investigated the galvanic corrosion of a Zinc/Steel interface under a thin layer of NaCl solution by Boundary Element Method (BEM) model. It was assumed that both oxygen reduction and iron oxidation could occur on the Fe surface, while only zinc oxidation occurred on the Zn surface. The boundary condition, required as an input into the BEM model, needs to be a polarization curve that accurately reflects the corrosion process. Provided that the polarization curve does reflect steady state, the BEM model is expected to be able to reflect steady state galvanic corrosion. Using data obtained from Boundary Element Method the effect of electrolyte thickness and conductivity on galvanic corrosion of the Zn coupled to steel was investigated.

Keywords:

Zinc/Steel interface , Galvanic corrosion , Boundary element method