This application targets the combined impact of electrochemical corrosion and erosion, caused by an external scraping device. Often, the electrochemical corrosion process creates an oxide on the surface of the sample. This oxide acts as a protective coating. However, in certain applications, such as a replacement hip; the coating is scraped away with each pass. The impact of this combined failure mechanism requires special consideration.
While electrochemical tests are similar to standard tests, it is often required to operate the
potentiostat in ‘Floating Mode’. ‘Floating’
potentiostats are isolated from earth-ground. This allows them to be used to study grounded electrodes or solutions (such as autoclaves or rebar). Multiple earth-ground points can generate ground loops, which can cause oscillations and result in untrustworthy, unpredictable data. The
PARSTAT4000A,
VersaSTAT 3F,
PARSTAT MC and
ModuLab XM are all capable of operating in ‘Floating’ or ‘Isolated’ mode.
Automation or key ability to integrate with other pieces of equipment is another key feature of this application. This is commonly done through LabView or other .NET control. This functionality is provided standard through the
VersaStudio platform. Other options are TTL signals, actions within the core GUI (RUN EXTERNAL APPLICATION), or a combination of external DAC Outs and ADC Ins.