Corrosion, passivation and breakdown of passivity of neodymium

The anodic polarisation behaviour of neodymium was investigated in various solutions (pH 1–12). While in sulphuric acid solution high dissolution rates were observed, spontaneous passivity occurred in phosphoric acid solutions, oxalic acid solutions and sodium hydroxide solutions. However, the stability of these protecting layers strongly depends on the kind and concentration of anions present, especially in acidic environments. A mechanism of the passive layer breakdown is proposed. During pitting corrosion erosive degradation of the electrode was observed. In all solutions, abnormal hydrogen evolution was observed when neodymium was in the active state during anodic polarisation.