Abstract
In this paper, a novel electrode abrading technique is designed to improve the conventional methods. By employing the new depassivation method, 316L stainless steel has been tested in 0.05M H
2
SO
4
solution with and without chloride ion. The repassivation kinetics has been analysed in terms of the current density flowing through the abraded surface bare metal surfaces. The results are described by the linear relationship of log i(t) versus log t. At potentials within the passive region, the passive film grew according to the high field ion conduction model in which log i(t) is linearly proportional to 1/q(t). The repassivation process was analysed in three stages according to different kinetics. The effect of applied potential and chloride ion concentration on repassivation kinetics was also discussed, and the change of calculated film thickness is more sensitive to applied potential than chloride ion concentration.