Influence of an elastic stress on the conductivity of passive films

The electrochemical impedance was measured over a large range of frequency and under straining condition in sodium chloride solution. The Mott-Schottky analysis, performed at high frequency, appears as very useful method to study the effect of an elastic stress on the capacitance values. The results obtained indicate that the semi-conductive properties of passive films formed on a type 316 L stainless steel (SS) are not markedly modified by an elastic stress when applied after ageing. In contrast, passive films formed in the presence of elastic stress have a higher donor and acceptor concentration than those formed in a stress-free state, suggesting that the passive film conductivity is increased. A decrease of the corrosion resistance of SS may be then expected. The potential barrier at the passive film/electrolyte interface is unchanged, suggesting that kinetics of charge transfer are kept constant.