With an ever increasing demand for advanced materials, methods for developing and studying these advanced materials has also increased. Diffusion multiples is one method that is poised to change how alloys are developed. However, characterization of these diffusion multiples must also be able to match the idealized high-throughput of this method of alloy development. Traditional corrosion studies utilizing electrochemical methods are conducted over relatively large areas and are inadequate for investigation of the micron-scale diffusion layers formed in diffusion multiples. This study will highlight the development of a micro-electrochemical apparatus and report preliminary results of corrosion studies on diffusion couples, non-traditionally welded materials, and technique verification utilizing a micron-scale examination area.

This work was performed under the auspices of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under contracts NRC-HQ-84-16-G-0033. Ms. Nancy Hebron-Isreal serves as the grants program officer for the NRC awards.