The effect of cooling rates on the electrochemical behavior of the Pb-Ca alloys was studied by use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, tafel plot and cathodic potentiodynamic polarization. Metallographic microscope was taken to investigate the microstructure. It was found that increasing cooling rates could decrease the grain size, strengthen the stability of anode passivation layer, improve corrosion resistance and hydrogen evolution over-potential. But over-fined structure which increased the grain boundary area and crystal defect would worsen the electrochemical performance of Pb-Ca alloys.

Key words: cooling rates, Pb-Ca alloys, microstructure, corrosion resistance, hydrogen evolution over-potential