CORROSION-ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF MAGNESIUM IN ACIDIC MEDIA, CONTAINING OXIDANTS

The influence of the pH of a sulfate solution on the anodic behavior of magnesium has been studied. Significant alkalization of the electrolyte layer near the electrode is caused by the self-dissolution of magnesium in an acidic medium, which leads to the formation of a surface layer of MgO/Mg(OH)2. A correlation has been obtained between the mass of the surface film and the rate of the anodic process at constant potential, and the concentration of H2O2 in solution. It has been found that the reduction of the H2O molecules acts as a depolarizing process in the corrosion of magnesium in an acidic medium. A correlation has also been found to exist between the rates of the anodic and cathodic reactions in the corrosion of magnesium. The change of the rate and potential of self-dissolution of magnesium as a function of the solution pH have been calculated.