Electrochemical characterization of a mechanically stressed passive layer

The electrochemical behavior of the stainless steel 304L was studied under static mechanical stress. In a first approach, the elastic domain of the material was investigated by using the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The Fe(CN)63− was used as mediator to characterize the electrochemical reactivity of the passive layer of SS 304L under various stress strengths.

► Normalized current higher in presence than in absence of mechanical stress.
► Sluggish electron transfer reaction at the SS passive layer.
► Acceleration of transport of oxygen vacancies when an elastic stress is applied.