Corrosion property of copperized layer on Zr formed by double glow plasma surface alloying technique

Zr and its alloys have excellent mechanical properties as new structural material, but in specific application environment, its corrosion resistance still needs to be further explored. In this work, double glow plasma surface alloying technique was used for copperizing on pure Zr surface. Besides, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersion spectrum (EDS) were employed to characterize the samples. Furthermore, research was also conducted on the polarization curve of the samples in different solutions. Copperizing on surface can improve corrosion resistance of pure Zr in 3.5 % NaCl and 0.5 mol·L−1 NaOH solutions. Especially in 0.5 mol·L−1 NaOH solution, the corrosion resistance can achieve significant improvement. However, copperizing has no influence on the improvement of corrosion resistance of pure Zr in 0.5 mol·L−1 H2SO4 solution. The results may provide new insight into way for improving the corrosion property of zirconium alloys.