Electrochemical properties and growth mechanism of passive films on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments

Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Mott–Schottky approach. Passive current density and donor density of the passive films increase with increasing temperature, due to increased diffusion rates of metallic ions and dehydration of hydroxide phases. The passive films show a duplex structure including an inner layer of fine-grained Cr oxide or spinel oxide and an outer layer of Ni–Fe spinel oxide and Ni hydroxide. A growth model of the passive films on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments is proposed and discussed.