The chromate conversion treatment is widely used, but it requires highly toxic chromic acid solutions with the consequent effluent disposal and ecological problems. The removal of these toxic chemicals is considered a priority within European Union. The corrosion resistance of three alternative treatments applied on electrogalvanised steel, and immersed in aerated 0.3 M Na2SO4 solution, pH 10, at 25 °C, was investigated using electrochemical techniques. Their performance was compared with the obtained using the traditional Cr6+-based treatment in the same conditions. The achieved results show that the alternative coatings exhibited discrete protective properties in the sulphate solution. The nitro-cobalt chemical conversion treatment showed similar protective properties than the traditional Cr6+-based treatment, while with the Cr3+-based treatment those were very poor. The phosphate treatment initially performed acceptably but as the time elapsed, its protective properties decreased.

As Cr (VI) compounds used to formulate conversion layers provide enhanced anticorrosive protection to zinc coatings, but they are produced using hazardous chemicals, the development of ''green'' technologies is a paramount purpose. Consequently, the corrosion behavior of zinc coatings subjected to a Cr3+ based passivating treatment, with and without sealing, was studied through EIS measurements in 0.5 M Na2SO4 solution. The analyses of the experimental data allowed inferring that the Cr3+-based conversion treatment with an adequate sealer provides good corrosion resistance and, coupled to an adequate painting system, could be a suitable alternative to traditional chromate coatings.

In order to develop capacities which would make pos sible the voltammetry of microparticles to be applied in the characterization of natural iron oxides and oxihydroxides, a serie of measurements were performed on synthetic magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (aFe2O3) and goethita (aFeO.OH). To test the capability of the methodology known natural iron minerals and sedimentary rocks containing unknown iron minerals have also been included in the present contribution. The electrochemical analyses were carried out at RT and after heating in order to estimate the potential of the method for detection of phase changes. The reliability of the method was checked by applying complementary technologies as optic microscopy, Rx diffractometry and magnetic susceptibility at low temperature. The results obtained indicate that the method and technical recourses applied are suitable ones for making a differentiation of iron oxides and oxihydroxides. The sensibility of the voltammetry of microparticles is higher for differentiation of less magnetic compounds such as hematite and goethite than for ferrimagnetic minerals such as magnetite. This technique is an appropriated method for environmental studies and can be related with other techniques applied in environmental magnetism.

Con el propósito de implementar el uso de la técnica de voltamperometría de micropartículas en la caracterización de óxidos y oxihidróxidos de hierro de origen natural, en una primera etapa, se realizaron numerosas experiencias con muestras sintéticas de magnetita (Fe3O4), hematita (aFe2O3) y goethita (aFeO.OH), según la metodología propuesta por Grygar (1995). Luego se efectuaron ensayos sobre muestras de minerales naturales y sedimentitas con alto contenido en óxidos y oxihidróxidos de hierro. Los análisis se realizaron sobre la muestra original y luego de tratarla a distintas temperaturas, esto último, a los fines de estimar la potencialidad del método en la detección de cambios de fase. Técnicas complementarias, tales como microscopía óptica, difractometría de rayos x y susceptibilidad magnética a bajas temperaturas, fueron utilizadas para evaluar la confiabilidad del método. En la presente contribución, se confirma que la técnica de voltamperometría de micropartículas es altamente sensible a la detección de especies débilmente magnéticas, como la hematita y la goethita (antiferromagnéticas) y en menor medida a las fuertemente magnéticas, como la magnetita (ferrimagnética). En virtud de esto, se considera que esta técnica es apropiada para estudios ambientales y puede ser relacionada con otras técnicas de magnetismo ambiental.

The atmospheric corrosion behaviour of galvanised steel sheets and steel/55%Al-Zn system with or without different paint schemes was analysed. The samples were exposed to the atmosphere in the experimental station of CIDEPINT. Periodically, all specimens were visually inspected and sampling was made to evaluate the general behaviour of the protective system. Normalised physicochemical and EIS tests were performed on each specimen. The corrosion products were characterised by SEM. The data included in the present work concern to the first step of exposure (800 days). The foreseen whole period of testing is 7 years. From the present results may be concluded that: 1) on the analysed industrial environment, the bare sheets of steel/55%Al-Zn system have suffered less damage than the bare galvanised ones, 2) chloride and sulphide are present in the corrosion products denoting the aggressiveness of environment, and 3) in general, all duplex systems have shown a fairly good protective behaviour.