A study of the corrosion behaviour of Zr50Cu(40−X)Al10PdX bulk metallic glasses with scanning Auger microanalysis

The anodic-polarization behaviours of Zr50Cu40Al10 and Zr50Cu33Al10Pd7 (atomic, at., %) bulk metallic glasses were investigated in aerated and deaerated 0.6 M NaCl. Polarization in both environments yielded similar results. Initial anodic-polarization of both alloys demonstrated that small increases in the applied potential resulted in significant increases in the current density. Continued polarization produced diffusion controlled polarization. Scanning Auger microanalysis was used to analyze the corrosion pits. Pits formed on both BMGs were enriched with Cu and Cl. Palladium enrichment was also observed in pits on Zr50Cu33Al10Pd7. A corrosion mechanism related to the formation of CuCl and Cu2O is proposed.