Measurement of anode potentials at high current densities by the current interruption method for metals used in aviation technology

An electrochemical flow-through cell and a current-interruption technique were used to investigate the potential of anodes made from mild steel, nickel, and four Ni-Cr-Fe alloys at high current densities (from 1 up to 100 A cm exp -2 ) in NaCl solutions for a Reynolds number of 7370. A plot of the anode potential against logarithm of current density yielded a Tafel line over a broad range of current densities. The plateau on the anode potential against current density curve was attributed to salt film formation. This explanation was confirmed by visual observation of the anode surface.