Electrochemical derusting in molten Na2CO3–K2CO3

Dong-yang Zhang; Xue Ma; Hong-wei Xie; Xiang Chen; Jia-kang Qu; Qiu-shi Song; Hua-yi Yin

doi:10.1007/s12613-020-2068-2

Volume 28 Issue 4

Apr. 2021

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2021 > 28(4): 637-643

Dong-yang Zhang, Xue Ma, Hong-wei Xie, Xiang Chen, Jia-kang Qu, Qiu-shi Song, and Hua-yi Yin, Electrochemical derusting in molten Na₂CO₃–K₂CO₃, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 28(2021), No. 4, pp. 637-643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2068-2

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Dong-yang Zhang, Xue Ma, Hong-wei Xie, Xiang Chen, Jia-kang Qu, Qiu-shi Song, and Hua-yi Yin, Electrochemical derusting in molten Na2CO3–K2CO3, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 28(2021), No. 4, pp. 637-643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2068-2

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Research Article

Electrochemical derusting in molten Na₂CO₃–K₂CO₃

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Corresponding author:
Hua-yi Yin E-mail: yinhy@smm.neu.edu.cn
Received: 27 December 2019; Revised: 12 April 2020; Accepted: 13 April 2020; Available online: 16 April 2020

Abstract

Abstract

The formation of a rust layer on iron and steels surfaces accelerates their degradation and eventually causes material failure. In addition to fabricating a protective layer or using a sacrificial anode, repairing or removing the rust layer is another way to reduce the corrosion rate and extend the lifespans of iron and steels. Herein, an electrochemical healing approach was employed to repair the rust layer in molten Na₂CO₃−K₂CO₃. The rusty layers on iron rods and screws were electrochemically converted to iron in only several minutes and a metallic luster appeared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses showed that the structures of the rust layer after healing were slightly porous and the oxygen content reached a very low level. Thus, high-temperature molten-salt electrolysis may be an effective way to metalize iron rust of various shapes and structures in a short time, and could be used in the repair of cultural relics and even preparing a three-dimensional porous structures for other applications.
- molten salt;
- electro-deoxidation;
- rust;
- stainless steel;
- derusting

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