Abstract
Recent studies into the pitting corrosion behaviour of gas turbine disc steel have necessitated the development of a novel technique using a scanning reference electrode to monitor local potential changes occurring in the electrolyte adjacent to a pit or crevice. The amplitudes of the potential changes have been related to the corrosion activity. The development of apparatus used to investigate the pitting behaviour of FV 448 stainless steel at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon, is discussed with particular reference to the use of a commercial microcomputer to provide real time acquisition and analysis of data. Investigation of the local potential changes taking place in pitted areas can be performed in either linescan or area map modes. Dynamic signal processing enhancements are included to improve the resolution in areas of low activity and clarify the potential distribution associated with multiple pits.
MST/907
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