The Effect of Creating Different Size Surface Patterns on Corrosion Properties of Nickel

Most common methods of decreasing the corrosion rate of metals use inhibitors, chemicals, coatings and surface modifiers. In this study a new method has been used to combat corrosion. This new approach is based on creating specific patterns on nickel surface. A pattern of holes with different diameters (D) and inter-hole spacings (L) were created through a laser ablation method on nickel sheet samples. Corrosion tests were carried out in a 0.5M H₂SO₄ solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed in order to compare the appearance of the samples before and after corrosion tests. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technique showed chemical composition of materials inside and outside of the holes before and after the corrosion tests. As a result of the surface patterning a significant improvement of protective properties of nickel surface has been achieved. All patterned surfaces showed better corrosion resistance compared to the polished reference samples. In addition, it has been shown that for a few specific patterns the corrosion resistance can be increased by orders of magnitude compared to the polished reference samples.