Corrosion behaviors of amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe-based alloys in NaCl solution

Amorphous Fe(73.5)Si(13.5)B9Nb3Cu1 alloy was prepared by the chill block melt-spinning process and nanocrystalline Fe(73.5)Si(13.5)B9Nb3Cu1 alloy was obtained by annealing. The crystallization behaviors were analysed by DSC, XRD and TEM. The electrochemical corrosion behaviors in different annealed states were performed by linear polarization method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results show that the crystallization of amorphous alloy occurs in the two steps. Some nanometer crystals appear when annealing in 550 degrees C and 600 degrees C, respectively with grain size 13 nm and 15 nm. The nanocrystalline alloy has a tendency to passivation and lower anodic current density than amorphous alloy. It indicates that nanocrystalline alloy has a higher corrosion resistance. Amorphous Fe(73.5)Si(13.5)B9Nb3Cu1 alloy consisted of only single semi-circle. When the alloy was annealed in 600 degrees C, its EIS consisted of two time constants, i.e., high frequency and low frequency capacitive loops. The charge transfer reaction resistances increases as annealing temperature rises.