Corrosion behavior of Ni+ -Ion Irradiated NiTi Alloys

Abstract

ABSTRACTCorrosion behavior of Ni+ -irradiated NiTi alloys was studied in chloride solutions, together with unirradiated NiTi material with different surface conditions. Ion irradiation with either 2.5 or 5 MeV Ni+ ions transformed the NiTi surface into an amorphous layer up to 1.5 micrometers thick. Studies of corrosion potential vs. time and polarization behavior indicated a small enhancement of the passivation for the Ni+-irradiated NiTi over the unirradiated NiTi. The unirradiated NiTi with a mechanically polished, coarse surface was susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion attack in 1 N HCl solution. The homogeneous amorphous structure in the irradiated alloy retarded this type of localized corrosion.