Passivation degradation of Alloy 800 on nucleate boiling surface

In this work, the passivation degradation of Alloy 800 on nucleate boiling surface was studied by using polarisation curve, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Experimental results indicated that boiling bubble would significantly degrade the passive film, as indicated by a decreased pitting potential and increased passive current density. Under boiling condition, the mass transfer of electrolyte is accelerated and the temperature of Alloy 800 was increased, as a result, the cathodic reaction and the dissolution rate of the passive film were increased. The passive film was Cr-depleted but Ni- and Fe-enriched, and the decreased Cr content in the passive film led to a degraded passive film.