Monitoring alterations in a salt layer’s deliquescence properties during the atmospheric corrosion of a metal surface using a quartz crystal microbalance

The deliquescence of salt residues on metal structures can exacerbate the atmospheric corrosion of these structures. However, the conversion of salt residues to corrosion products alters the metal surface time of wetness (TOW) in ways that are difficult to monitor. This study demonstrates the use of quartz crystal microbalance with acoustic impedance measurement (QCM-I) to simultaneously monitor the corrosion and the changing deliquescence properties of various chloride salt layers printed on copper surfaces. While the results herein apply to Canada’s proposed deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel, the methodology applies to any combination of salts and metal surfaces.