Abstract
The addition of Ni leads to the formation of protective rust layer on steel and subsequently high corrosion resistance of steel in $Cl^-$-containing environment. $\alpha$-FeOOH, $\beta$-FeOOH, $\gamma$-FeOOH and $Fe_3O_4$ are formed mainly on steels exposed to $Cl^-$-containing environment. As the first work of this kind, this study reports the influence of Ni on the oxidation behavior of $Ni_xFe_{1-x}(OH)_2$ in $Cl^-$-containing solution at two different pH regions(condition I under which the solution pH is allowed to decrease and condition I under which solution pH is maintained at 8) where $\gamma$-FeOOH and $Fe_3O_4$ are predominantly formed, respectively, upon oxidation of $Fe(OH)_2$, In the presence of Ni(II) in the starting solution, the formation of $\beta$-FeOOH was facilitated and the formation of $\gamma$-FeOOH was suppressed with increasing Ni(II) content and with increasing oxidation rate of Fe(II). Ni(II) was found to have $Fe_3O_4$-suppressing effect under condition II.
