A Study of Crevice Corrosion Susceptibility of Zn-Al Alloys in a High-pH Environment
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In general, the article is interesting, and the information provided by the authors is important.
After the review of the manuscript, I have the following comments:
1. Is desirable to include some results in the abstract to facilitate the understanding of the paper and to catch the readers' interest.
2. Lines 84 and 85, please express the dimensions of the wire in mm
3. lines 102 and 103, please explain how the cables were soldered to the specimens.
4. In Figure 11, a reference line could help compare the dimensions of the specimens.
5. Section 4.1 "Effect of ambient air". In this section, the authors express their opinion, which is valid because they have realized the research. However, compared to previous results reported by other researchers, referring to similar situations could be recommendable.
6. The authors mention in the second conclusion that the elemental Al dissolution rate does not have a significant effect on the mechanism Zn-2%Al dissolution or passivation.
Was the elemental Al dissolution measured?
Please clarify it
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Reviewer 1
- Is desirable to include some results in the abstract to facilitate the understanding of the paper and to catch the readers' interest.
Response: The following was added to the Abstract (line 21): , resulted in shifting the electrode potential to -0.6V (SCE). The analysis showed that the solution inside the crevice is shifting to lower pH values and a pH = 12 was suggested which supports more passivity inside the crevice according to Pourbaix diagram.
- Lines 84 and 85, please express the dimensions of the wire in mm.
Response: The dimensions were converted (Lines 84 and 85)
- lines 102 and 103, please explain how the cables were soldered to the specimens.
Response: The following was added (Lines 107 and 108): Soldering was done by using soldering iron and tin/lead solder. The iron was heated to high temperature to melt the solder to join the cable
- In Figure 11, a reference line could help compare the dimensions of the specimens
Response: The following was added to the caption of the figure (Line: 189): Magnification: top photo: 5X, bottom: 12X.
- Section 4.1 "Effect of ambient air". In this section, the authors express their opinion, which is valid because they have realized the research. However, compared to previous results reported by other researchers, referring to similar situations could be recommendable.
Response: The following was added (Line 268): Similar interpretation was reported elsewhere [9].
- The authors mention in the second conclusion that the elemental Al dissolution rate does not have a significant effect on the mechanism Zn-2%Al dissolution passivation. Was the elemental Al dissolution measured? Please clarify it.
Response: The followings was added to the second conclusion (Line 349): This is based on the EIS testing on Zn, Zn/Al and Al alloys, which indicated that passivation is associated more with Zn than Al.
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper is to be of meaning in civil/construction engineering. Author of this work performed a regular study on crevice corrosion development in Zn-Al alloys in high pH environments. In Introduction, the aim of the study was presented. Though the method of the study was typical, an alternative to the traditional approach for measuring potentials – with a Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE) – was the use of Activated Titanium Rod (ATiR) Electrodes, with the reason provided. In the paper, Figure 20 well summarizes results of the experiments, presenting and comparing average current densities of the alloys studied. Therefore, the aim of the paper was reached.
One remark, concerning the specimens dimensioning: inches may be left as coming from the wire producer, but other dimensional units should be in [mm], without using another [cm]. Also, apply MINUS sign instead of semi-minus used in your manuscript (e.g. see lines 239, 250, or 326). Line 355 – here is one author (or more?). In References, line 369, is it still „ahead-of-print”?
To sum up, some minor corrections and improvements are needed before this paper is considered for publication.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
English language is fine. Some corrections in editing is needed.
Author Response
His/her valuable comments on editing/corrections throughout the manuscript were satisfied wherever appropriate. As for the minus sign typo, it is correct as presented in the manuscript. The font selected shows it like a semi minus.
