The main purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion behaviour of simulated archaeological iron in Cl−, NO3− and HSO3− bearing pollutants.
Periodic wet‐dry test, potentiodynamic polarization experiments and surface tension tests were used to study the rule of corrosion rate. Scanning Electron microscopy with EDAX, stereoscopic microscopy and X‐ray diffraction were also used to identify the corrosion products and mechanism. Weight loss measurement, electrochemical theory, as well as ions adsorption theory and penetration theory were used to explain the different corrosion behaviour.
The experimental results demonstrated that the attack of anodic ions to the metal at the initial corrosion stage showed great agreement with their surface activity. However, as corrosion progressed, the different reaction mechanisms and the penetration effect of anions as well as the characteristics of the corrosion products (intermediate products and final products) begin to control the corrosion process.
The initial corrosion rate was found to show agreement with the surface activity of anions. From a new viewpoint, this paper explains the different corrosion behaviour of Cl−, NO3− and HSO3− anions to simulated archaeological iron and offers reference to the individual who pursues in corrosion and protection of metal.
