Experimental determination of the critical hydrogen peroxide ion concentration for titanium alloys in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution

The first assumption was that titanium and its alloy should have excellent corrosion resistance in alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching. However, the pulp mill experience of the corrosion resistance of titanium alloy conflict partly with the earlier knowledge. The corrosion of both titanium and titanium alloy was studied in alkaline hydrogen peroxide environment. The cell was equipped with a water circulation loop and chemistry monitoring system. The monitoring system adjusted the pH‐value, hydrogen peroxide concentration and temperature of the solution.

Both titanium and titanium alloy dissolved by uniform corrosion in passive state due to the hydrogen peroxide ion. This ion can destroy protective dioxide layer of titanium. The critical concentration of hydrogen peroxide ion could be estimated experimentally and for both titanium and titanium alloy it was 0.008 ± 0.008 M at 80 °C in alkaline hydrogen peroxide ion environment.

However, theoretically based on thermodynamic no critical hydrogen peroxide concentration could be found whereas traces of this ion can attack titanium and titanium alloys. The experimentally determined corrosion rate of both titanium and titanium alloy seems to follow an exponential law as a function of hydrogen peroxide ion concentration, which could be explained by the Arrhenius equation.