Electrochemical Behavior of Oxide Films of Stainless Steel in 40 kHz Sonicated Sulphate Electrolytes

This paper describes effects of 40 kHz ultrasound on the oxide films of stainless steel in sulphate electrolytes so as to determine the transmitted power and to characterize mass transfer and peak current density on the electrode surface. Emphasis was mainly laid on electrochemical oxidations and peeling mechanism of oxide films in sonicated sulphate solutions (0.5 and 1.0 mol/L). Polarization voltammetry, current response traces and SEM analysis were carried out in order to provide full information as to oxide films surface. Results shows that the rate of electrochemical oxidation, the shape of polarization curves and the surface micrographs in sonicated sulphate electrolytes are different from those obtained without introduction of ultrasound. It is concluded that ultrasound can change the electro-chemical behavior of oxide films by its cavitaion effects, which would produce transient mechanical impulsive force and enhance electrochemical reactions.