Triboelectrochemical techniques and interpretation methods in tribocorrosion: A comparative evaluation

Tribocorrosion is a material deterioration or transformation resulting from simultaneous action of wear and corrosion. Tribocorrosion is found in many engineering applications but the involved mechanisms are still little understood. The investigation of tribocorrosion requires the control of the chemical conditions during a wear test. In aqueous electrolytes, this is achieved by using different types of electrochemical-controlled wear experiments (triboelectrochemical experiments). This paper presents a critical appraisal of the main electrochemical techniques and evaluation methods used in tribocorrosion research with special emphasis on sliding and fretting situations involving passive metals.