ScienceAugust 17, 2026
transpassive
tranz-PAS-iv
Definition
A state in electrochemical corrosion where a protective surface film breaks down and the metal begins to dissolve or oxidize rapidly due to very high electrical potential.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'trans-' (across or beyond) and 'passivus' (capable of suffering or undergoing), referring to the metal moving beyond its 'passive' state of protection into a state of active dissolution.
In the news
In this article, the term describes the failure mode of conventional stainless steel where protective chromium oxide becomes unstable at high electrical potentials, leading to accelerated corrosion during water electrolysis.
After nearly 6 years of research, HKU scientists created steel that survives 1,700 mV in seawater, potenti
Read the full article ↗The Economic Times