XPS study on the surface films of a newly designed Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glass

The electrochemical and corrosion behavior of a newly designed Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) was investigated. The Ti45Zr10Pd10Cu31Sn4 BMG exhibits excellent corrosion resistance after immersion in 3 mass% NaCl, 1 N H2SO4 and 1 N H2SO4 + 0.01 N NaCl solutions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were used to analyze the changes of the elements on the alloy surface before and after immersion in various solutions. The formation of Ti- and Zr-enriched highly protective thin surface films is responsible for the high corrosion resistance of this alloy in corrosive solutions.