Abstract
The oxidation characteristics of iron containing about 0.27% of carbon at room temperature in laboratory atmosphere are described. In general, the oxide film thickness increases logarithmically with time. Except for films of thickness greater than about 10Å, several breaks have been found in the oxidation curve. These breaks can be explained as due to the compressional stress developed in the film, and this stress is modified by the thickness and structure of the vapor-deposited films. Application of a positive potential to the film increases the oxidation rate, whereas a negative potential decreases the rate. All these observed results are explained based on the Fehlner-Mott theory and suggest that the growth of ferric oxide is due to the diffusion of oxygen ions.
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Bhavani, K., Vaidyan, V.K. Oxidation of iron and influence of an electric field at room temperature. Oxid Met 15, 137–145 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00603758
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00603758