This research investigates two areas of ceramic corrosion, gaseous reactions with the production of volatile species and aqueous dissolution kinetics. The objective is to determine the degradation mechanism and the rate-controlling steps in each case. The range of possible mechanisms spans from transport control to surface reaction kinetics. Degradation of microstructure during the oxidation of multi-component systems will be investigated. Gaseous corrosion kinetics are determined by thermogravimetry, and dissolution kinetics are determined by solution analysis with atomic absorption spectroscopy. %%%% This research seeks to study the fundamentals governing the corrosion behaviors of ceramics. From the degradation mechanism, better ceramics can be fabricated to minimize degradation. They can also provide basis for the selection of an optimum ceramic material for a given hostile environment. Results may also be useful with respect to ceramic processings.
