Modifications of Passive Films (EFC 12) PDF

Preface

The publishing of this Proceedings Volume isthe last event of the European Symposium on Modifications of Passive Films which was held in Paris, 15-17 February 1993*.Seventy-three communications (oral presentations and posters) were presented by participants from over fifteen countries. Fifty-eight manuscripts are published in this volume, providing a relevant and updated view of the advances and new trends in the field.

Improving the corrosion resistance of metallic materials by modifications of the passive films is a challenging objective which requires that substantial research efforts are made for a better knowledge of the chemical composition, the chemical states and the electronic properties of passive films. In addition to the set of surface analysis techniques, the promising emergence of STM and AFM probes in the study of passive films with atomic resolution was probably one of the highlights of the Symposium.

Kinetics of passivation and electrochemical behaviour remain very basic to our knowledge of passivity. These topics were illustrated by a more limited number of papers as the emphasis was on the modifications of the passive films.

A wide spectrum of film modifications and their effects on passivity and resistance to localised corrosion are described. Some of them are based on changes in the metal composition by traditional matrix alloying or are produced by more recent techniques using directed energy beams such as ion implantation. The focus of a large number of papers was on various film processings by chemical, electrochemical or physical means. They brought a large body of original data illustrating the role of chemical and structural features.

A precise assessment of the true potential of film modifications for further improvement of the corrosion resistance of passive materials is not yet possible. However there is no doubt that the data reported at this Symposium have contributed to identify the field as relevant in both fundamentals of passivity and development of more corrosion-resistant materials.

Edited by: P. Marcus, B. Baroux, M. Keddam