Magnetic field induced rest potential shift of metallic electrodes in nitric acid solution

F. M. F. Rhen - P. Dunne - J. M. D. Coey

CRANN {&} School of Physics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract
We have investigated the field-induced rest potential shift of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Bi, and stainless steel in nitric acid solution. Anodic rest potential shifts of up to 4\,mV, 10\,mV, 35\,mV and 2.4\,mV were observed for Mn, Zn, Fe and Ni, respectively, with an applied field of 1.5\,T, whereas no shift was observed for Cr, Cu, Sn, Bi, or stainless steel. The absence of a field-induced rest potential shift for the latter metals is associated with passivation of the electrode. The magnetic driving force responsible for field-induced rest potential shift is the Lorentz force, which enhances the corrosion currents through magnetically-induced stirring on a ten micron length scale. Tables 1, Figs 3, Refs 11.