Microcomputer-Based Corrosion Modeling Applied to Polarization Curves Available to Purchase

A microcomputer-based software package is described that successfully models polarization curves and simulates redox behavior of a wide variety of electrochemical reactions. It also enables experimentally obtained polarization scans to be plotted over the computed scans for comparison. The paper defines an electrochemical model using established theoretical foundations and describes the means of achieving good computer representations of laboratory data. A description is given of the model, some of the applications to analysis of corrosion mechanisms, and aspects of its use in corrosion control. Applications discussed include the effect of electrolyte dilution for the purposes of scale modeling, and the introduction of paint films. Use of the model to investigate passivating systems by the simulation of the electrochemical corrosion behavior of stainless steels is described. By rapid investigation of changes in a large number of system and environmental parameters, the value of the model for corrosion education and as a research tool for advancing the theoretical foundations of corrosion will be demonstrated.