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An in‐situ FT‐IR investigation of the anodic behaviour of WC‐Co hardmetal
Author(s) -
Bozzini B.,
De Gaudenzi G. P.,
Mele C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
materials and corrosion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.487
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1521-4176
pISSN - 0947-5117
DOI - 10.1002/maco.200303692
Subject(s) - tungsten , electrochemistry , anode , corrosion , in situ , materials science , passivity , inorganic chemistry , tungsten carbide , chemistry , metallurgy , electrode , organic chemistry , electrical engineering , engineering
An in‐situ FT‐IR spectroelectrochemical and voltammetric study of the corrosion of a WC‐Co hardmetal grade is reported in this communication. A slightly acidic sulphate solution is considered. The potential‐ and time‐dependent anodic formation of CO 2 and Co(OH) 2 can be followed with the variation of the vibrational spectra. The formation of CO 2 occurs at the same potential at which tungsten oxidation starts to be detected and the breakdown of passivity can be observed by electrochemical methods. Our results suggest that a threshold potential exists for the oxidation of WC in WC‐Co, giving rise to the concomitant oxidation of tungsten and carbon at more noble potentials than those typical for the oxidation of the individual elements.