The Use of Atomic Force Microscopy in Corrosion Research

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (PFM), invented in 1986, has found widespread use in science. The technique enables imaging of material at the molecular level for the first time. Unlike most other microscopy techniques, the imaging can be carried out in situ without fear of destroying the integrity of the inter-phase and the process that is being measured. The application of AFM to corrosion science is shown by two examples. The first example concerns the mechanism of adsorption of carbon dioxide corrosion inhibitors (surfactant molecules) on steel. The second example involves an investigation on the mechanism of stress corrosion cracking of weldable 13 chrome steel.