Fundamentals of Electrochemical Corrosion covers the underlying chemistry and materials science associated with the corrosion behavior of metals in aqueous environments. It begins with a review of corrosion processes and the reactions that occur in the interface area between the metal and corrosive media. It describes the basic elements of a corrosion circuit, the criteria for metal-solution reactions, and the effect of corrosion products. It discusses the thermodynamic principles governing the stability of metals in aqueous environments, the kinetics of metal-ion transfer, the role of diffusion, and the influence of solution velocity. It explains how to calculate corrosion rates and estimate corrosion potential and current density. It addresses practical issues such as galvanic coupling, cathodic protection, and the effect of anodic polarization on various metals and alloys. It also covers corrosion-rate measurements, localized and metallurgically influenced corrosion, environment-sensitive fracture, and corrosion fatigue. The book includes charts, graphs, tables, equations, and chapter review questions, and is appropriate for use in upper-level undergraduate and graduate instruction, professional education, individual study, and as a reference and data resource. For information on the print version, ISBN 978-0-87170-676-8, follow this link.

Dynamic shear-band-evolution processes in a bulk-metallic glass (BMG), an emerging class of materials, were captured by a state-of-the-art, high-speed, infrared camera. Many shear bands initiated, propagated, and arrested before the final fracture in tension, each with decreasing temperature, and shear-strain profiles. A free-volume-exhaustion mechanism was proposed to explain the phenomena. The results contribute to understanding and improving the limited ductility of BMGs, which otherwise have superior mechanical properties.

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Implants containing antimicrobial metals may reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs associated with medical device-related infections. We have deposited diamondlike carbonsilver (DLC-Ag), diamondlike carbon-platinum (DLC-Pt), and diamondlike carbon-silverplatinum (DLC-AgPt) thin films using a multicomponent target pulsed laser deposition process.Transmission electron microscopy of the DLC-silver and DLC-platinum composite films revealed that the silver and platinum self-assemble into nanoparticle arrays within the diamondlike carbon matrix. The diamondlike carbon-silver film possesses hardness and Young's modulus values of 37 GPa and 331 GPa, respectively. The diamondlike carbon-metal composite films exhibited passive behavior at open-circuit potentials. Low corrosion rates were observed during testing in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) electrolyte. In addition, the diamondlike carbon-metal composite films were found to be immune to localized corrosion below 1000 mV (SCE). DLC-silver-platinum films demonstrated exceptional antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus bacteria. It is believed that a galvanic couple forms between platinum and silver, which accelerates silver ion release and provides more robust antimicrobial activity.Diamondlike carbon-silver-platinum films may provide unique biological functionalities and improved lifetimes for cardiovascular, orthopaedic, biosensor, and implantable microelectromechanical systems.