Reactivation Experimental Sequence

Run the Reactivation standard technique by selecting Experiment>DC Corrosion>Electrochemical Reactivation from the Framework™ menu bar. This initiates the following sequence of events:

  1. Framework creates a Runner window, and the Electrochemical Reactivation.exp script is run in this window.
  2. The script creates the Setup dialog box and accepts changes in the experimental parameters.
  3. The script now obtains the use of the potentiostat specified during Setup, and opens the data file using the Output name. If the potentiostat is in use or the file cannot be opened, the script returns you to the Setup dialog box. The file header information is written to the data file. This header information includes:
    1. Tags identifying possible analyses
    2. the current time and date
    3. a list of the Setup parameters.

This information is written to the file prior to data-acquisition. If the experiment is aborted, the output file contains only this information.

  1. The cell is turned off and Eoc is measured. If an Init. Delay is turned on in the Setup, this step lasts for the time specified as the Init. Delay time, or until the potential stabilizes. If no Init. Delay is specified, this step only lasts long enough for Eoc to be measured. A plot of potential versus time is always displayed. The last measured potential is recorded as Eoc.
  2. Now a complex sequence of events occurs.
    1. The sample is potentiostated at the Activation E for the Activation Time. In this step the surface layer damaged by polishing the electrode is stripped from the surface.
    2. The sample is then potentiostated at the Passivation Potential for the Passivation Time.
    3. Finally, the potential is swept back to Eoc. The sweep is actually a staircase ramp, with a current reading taken at the end of each step on the staircase. At each point the current range is automatically switched to the optimal range for the measured cell current. If IR-compensation has been selected, each potential is corrected for the measured IR-drop of the preceding point.
    4. A plot of log(I) vs. E is displayed during the sweep.
  3. The data are written to the output file, and the script cleans up and halts.
  4. When the scan is over, the cell is turned off. The acquired data are written to the output file.
  5. The script then waits for you to click the Skip button. When you do, the script closes everything that is open, including the Runner window.