INTERACTION OF IRON AND NICKEL WITH BORATE MELTS

Intermetallic compounds formed on the surface of iron or nickel upon their reaction with a borax melt in the presence of aluminum at 900 degrees C were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results were compared with the data on the emf of the galvanic cell, of which one electrode is iron or nickel. The suggestion about the structure of the transition layer, the effect of this layer on the kinetics of attaining the constant value of the potential, and the dependence of the diffusion potential on the transition-layer structure in the iron (nickel)-borate melt system were made. It is shown that an addition of 3 wt % Al to the borate melt brings about a considerable change in the emf of a galvanic cell; this can be associated with a change in the character of the processes in the transition layer.