Electrochemical oxidation of ZrB sub(2)-MoSi sub(2) ceramics in a 3% NaCl solution

Electrochemical oxidation of ZrB sub(2) and MoSi sub(2) refractory compounds as well ZrB sub(2)-MoSi sub(2) ceramics in a 3% NaCl solution is studied using the method of polarization curves, quantitative AES, and SEM. It is established that the highest corrosion resistance is observed in the case of composites with a small amount (~5-10 wt.%) of MoSi sub(2) due to their stable passivation at comparatively low anodic potentials. It is shown that the corrosion rate of a molten ZrB sub(2) sample is 90% lower than that of a hot-pressed one.