Study on the passive film formed on 2205 stainless steel in acetic acid by AAS and XPS

The properties of the passive film formed on 2205 stainless steel in acetic acid at high temperature that contained chloride ions were studied by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical polarization measurements. AAS results show that molybdenum is enriched on the surface as the passive film is dissolved. This enrichment decreases the corrosion resistance because it hinders chloride adsorption and Fe ion dissolution, and acts as a local pH buffer because it consumes protons. The dissolution ratio of Fe/Cr is approximately 10 during the active dissolution of the passive film. XPS results indicate that when the potential is in the passivation region, Cr comprises about 50% of the metal cations in the near-surface region of the passive film and is the main metal constituent in this region. When the polarization potential is much greater than the transpassivation potential, the Mo content accounts for approximately 45% of the metal cations in the near-surface region; Fe and Ni have no obvious influence on the formation, dissolution, or puncture of the passive film.