Abstract
SINCE metallic oxidation is a surface phenomenon the preparation of the surface prior to the oxidation experiment is very important. If the method of preparation produces a thin film of oxide or another compound on the surface, the subsequent oxidation may be affected. Thus, Vernon, Akeroyd and Stroud1 found that the rate of oxidation of zinc below 225° C. was different for abraded, etched or electrolytically polished surfaces. For fundamental work, the ideal is to commence the oxidation with a filmfree surface. This was done in the case of iron by Davies, Evans and Agar2. The iron was reduced in hydrogen at 480° C., and after this gas had been removed by evacuation, oxygen was introduced. However, it is not possible to carry out this procedure with all metals. Thus the oxide of tin cannot be reduced by hydrogen below the melting point of the metal. The oxidation of solid tin cannot therefore be carried out on an initially film-free surface.
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References
Vernon, W. H. J., Akeroyd, E. I., and Stroud, E. G., J. Inst. Metals, 65, 301 (1939).
Davies, D. E., Evans, U. R., and Agar, J. N., Proc. Roy. Soc., A., 225, 443 (1954).
Mills, T., and Evans, U. R., J. Chem. Soc., 2182 (1956).
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DAVIES, D., SHAH, S. Cathodic Cleaning of Metals before High-Temperature Oxidation. Nature 188, 138–139 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/188138a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/188138a0
