Abstract
The anodic-polarization behaviors of Zr50Cu40-XAl10PdX (x = 0 and 7 atomic %) BMGs were investigated in 0.6 M NaCl electrolytes. Initial anodic polarization of both alloys yielded regions where small increases in the applied potential induced significant increases in the current density. Continued polarization of both BMGs resulted in diffusion controlled regimes. However, the limiting diffusion current density of Zr50Cu33Al10Pd7 was higher than that of Zr50Cu40Al10. Scanning Auger microanalysis was used to investigate the oxide formed during polarization and to analyze the chemistry within corrosion pits. The pits formed on both BMGs were enriched with Cu and Cl. Corrosion pits on Zr50Cu33Al10Pd7 were additionally enriched with Pd. A corrosion mechanism relating to the formation of CuCl and Cu2O is proposed based on both the polarization and microanalysis results.
