The Properties of Films Formed on Iron Exposed to Inhibitive Solutions

Abstract

Films formed on iron exposed to phosphate, chromate, nitrite, molybdate, tungstate, and arsenate solutions have been characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy and ellipsometry. It was found that the films could be divided into three groups based on their optical properties. The protective quality of films within a group was approximately the same; however, there was a wide variation in protection from group to group. Correlations were found between protective quality, growth kinetics, and film composition.