I. De Graeve

Structural dependence of gold deposition by nanoplating in polycrystalline copper

In the present work, the gold-nanoplating technique is used to monitor differences in the electrochemical activity of different types of grain boundaries in high-purity copper. Gold-nanoplating is based on the electrochemical displacement of gold, which is deposited as particles from an aqueous solution on the polycrystalline copper surface. The complementary use of electron backscatter diffraction for revealing microstructural features, field emission scanning electron microscopy for imaging, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis for quantification of the deposited gold makes it possible to detect differences in the grain boundary activity for different types of grain boundaries. In this way, it becomes possible to distinguish special from random boundaries in an efficient way. Also quantitative experimental results on grain boundary activity are produced, which correlate strongly with literature predictions on grain boundary energy.

Effect of Local Surface Microstructure and Composition on the Electrochemical Behavior of Hot Dip Aluminum-Silicon Coatings on Steel

The goal of this article was to understand how differences in the composition and the microstructure of aluminum and aluminum-silicon coatings on steel affect the macroscopic electrochemical behavior. In particular, the focus is on the influence of the amount of silicon present in the molten aluminum bath. The electrochemical behavior is studied using electrochemical polarization experiments and is linked to the microstructure, analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. Local Volta potential differences at the metal surface are studied using scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM). Microstructural variations result in differences in the electrochemical behavior of the surfaces when performing full potentiodynamic scans, starting in the cathodic region. These influences, however, are not revealed as such when performing anodic and cathodic half scans, starting at open-circuit potential (OCP). Especially when first polarizing at cathodic potentials in the ...

Smart corrosion protection by multi-action self-healing polymeric coatings

Abstract Within the group of self-healing materials, research on self-healing coatings has been performed for about 15 years either only on polymeric materials or on corrosion inhibitors. This chapter is begins with a discussion of the most relevant publications in both fields including important analysis and coating application techniques. In the second part we present the results achieved so far in combining these two fields into more effective and robust coating systems.

Texture comparison between cold rolled and cryogenically rolled pure copper

Nowadays, there is a considerable scientific interest in bulk ultrafine grained materials, due to their potential for superior mechanical properties. One of the possible formation methods of nano-grained materials is cryogenic rolling. The influence of rolling at cryogenic temperatures has been investigated. Significant differences in the textures and the microstructures can be observed between the cryogenically rolled copper and conventionally cold rolled copper, reduced to the same thickness.