Gamry Instruments PTC1 User manual

PTC1
Paint Test Cell Kit
Operator’s Manual
Copyright © 2017 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Revision 2.1
September 15, 2017
900-00057

i
Limited Warranty
Gamry Instruments, Inc. warrants to the original user of this product that it shall be free of defects resulting from
faulty manufacture of the product or its components for a period of one year from the original shipment date of
your purchase.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. makes no warranties regarding either the satisfactory performance of the cell kit or the
fitness of the product for any particular purpose. The remedy for breach of this Limited Warranty shall be
limited solely to repair or by replacement, as determined by Gamry Instruments, Inc., and shall not include
other damages.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. reserves the right to make revisions to the product at any time without incurring any
obligation to install same on systems previously purchased. All product specifications are subject to change
without notice.
There are no warranties which extend beyond the description herein. This warranty is in lieu of, and excludes
any and all other warranties or representations, expressed, implied or statutory, including merchantability and
fitness, as well as any and all other obligations or liabilities of Gamry Instruments, Inc., including but not limited
to, special or consequential damages.
This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have others which vary from state to state.
Some states do not allow for the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages.
No person, firm, or corporation is authorized to assume for Gamry Instruments, Inc., any additional obligation
or liability not expressly provided herein except in writing duly executed by an officer of Gamry Instruments,
Inc.

ii
If You Have Problems
Please visit our service and support page at www.gamry.com/service-support/.
This page contains information on installation, software updates, and training. It also contains links to the latest
available documentation. If you are unable to locate the information you need from our website, you can
contact us via form submission using the link provided on our website. Alternatively, you can call us using one
of the telephone numbers listed below:
Tech support form www.gamry.com/service-support/contact-technical-support/
Telephone [phone]:00 AM–5:00 PM US Eastern Standard Time
[phone] Toll-free US & Canada Only
Replacement parts for this kit are available from Gamry Instruments, Inc. Optional parts may be available from
Gamry Instruments, or from third-party vendors. Contact your local Gamry sales representative to discuss any
special requirements or accessories that you need.
Disclaimer
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate as of the time of
printing. However, Gamry Instruments, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors that might appear.
Copyrights and Trademarks
Paint Test Cell Kit manual copyright 1999–2017 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
3M is a trademark of 3M.
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of
Gamry Instruments, Inc.

iii
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Unpacking and Checking a Cell Kit ..............................................................................................5
Checking for Shipping Damage .......................................................................................5
Parts List ........................................................................................................................5
Assembly of the Cell Top.............................................................................................................6
Important notes..............................................................................................................6
Procedure......................................................................................................................6
Requirements for Metal Samples..................................................................................................7
Chemical Compatibility ...............................................................................................................7
Cell Setup...................................................................................................................................8
Working Electrode Area...............................................................................................................8
PortHole™ Electrochemical Sample Masks ...................................................................................9
Maintenance...............................................................................................................................10
Replacement Parts..........................................................................................................10
Reference Electrode Maintenance...................................................................................10
Index..........................................................................................................................................11

Introduction
4
Introduction
The Gamry Instruments’PTC1 Paint Test Cell kit is a simple, inexpensive cell used for electrochemical
corrosion testing. This cell was originally developed by Dr. Richard Granata of Lehigh University.
The PTC1 was designed for electrochemical-impedance testing of flat, coated metal specimens. It can also be
used for testing corrosion of bare metal samples in highly conductive media.
The PTC1 is not recommended for testing bare metals in more resistive solutions.

Unpacking and Checking a Cell Kit
5
Unpacking and Checking a Cell Kit
This section is primarily intended for the user who has just received a new Paint Test Cell Kit.
Checking for Shipping Damage
Your new kit was shipped disassembled to minimize shipping damage. All of the pieces were carefully
packaged in anticipation of rough handling in shipment. Unfortunately, no matter how carefully glass pieces are
packaged, damage sometimes occurs.
When you first receive your kit, please check it for any signs of shipping damage. Be especially careful if the
shipping container shows signs of rough handling.
Obviously, the glass piece is the most susceptible to damage. Check the glass piece for chipping and small
cracks as well as for major damage.
If any parts were broken in shipment, please take a photograph and contact our USA facility or your local
Gamry representative as soon as possible. In most cases, Gamry should have replacement parts in stock. Please
retain the shipment’s packaging material for a possible claim against the shipping company.
Parts List
Please check the contents of your kit versus the packing list in Table 1. When shipped, all of the components
should be labeled with their Gamry part number. If you are checking the completeness of an older kit, most of
the components are shown in photographs throughout this manual.
Table 1
Parts in Paint Test Cell Kit PTC1
Quantity
Part Number
Description
1
930-00026
Cell Body, PTC1, with O-ring
1
935-00035
Stopper, Rubber, PTC1
1
935-00036
Clamp, PTC1, Ace 7669-18
1
935-00039
PTC1 Base assembly
1
935-00014
Graphite Rod, 8 mm × 6" (half of 935-03)
2
935-00049
PortHole™ electroplating tape, 1 cm2
2
935-00050
PortHole™ electroplating tape, 3 cm2
2
935-00051
PortHole™ electroplating tape, 10 cm2
Warning: Never use any glass parts that are chipped or cracked. Any damage to glass
increases the probability of additional damage. Broken glass can have extremely sharp edges that represent
a significant safety hazard. Injuries from broken glass can be quite severe.

Assembly of the Cell Top
6
Assembly of the Cell Top
This section tells you how to assemble the top of the cell.
Important notes
•Lubricate the reference electrode with water before inserting it into the top.
•Grasp the electrode as near to the stopper as possible and twist the electrode as you are inserting it.
•When inserting the electrodes, hold the stopper between your thumb and your first finger.
•Double-check that you insert each electrode into its correct hole.
Procedure
1. Locate the rubber stopper. Notice that the holes in the stopper have different diameters.
2. Gently push the graphite counter electrode into the smaller of the two holes in the top.
3. Insert the counter electrode until approximately 5 cm of the electrode extends below the top.
4. Wet the outside of the reference electrode with a few drops of water.
5. Gently push the reference electrode into the larger of the two holes in the top.
Insert the reference electrode until approximately 5 cm of the electrode extends below the top.
Warning: The reference and counter electrodes can break during this procedure. If you are
not careful, a broken electrode can pierce your hand. Broken glass can have extremely sharp edges that
represent a significant safety hazard. Injuries from broken glass can be quite severe.
Warning: Do not place your palm under the stopper.

Requirements for Metal Samples
7
Requirements for Metal Samples
If you use a rectangular metal sample, it must measure at least 6 cm on each side. The sample must be flat
enough that a water-tight O-ring seal can be made.
The area to be tested must be within 2 cm of one of the edges on the sample. If it is farther away, the clamp
cannot hold the cell onto the sample.
The minimum sample thickness depends on the type of metal. Generally about 0.05 mm is a useful minimum
thickness. Samples between 7 mm and 15 mm thick require testing without the base.
Painted samples must have an area outside of the cell free from paint. This area is used to make electrical
contact with the sample.
Chemical Compatibility
The O-ring used in this cell is made from an ethylene/propylene elastomer. The top is made from a carbon-
filled natural rubber. These materials are not universally chemically resistant. They should give acceptable
performance with dilute acids, bases, and chloride salts.
We do not recommend use of the PTC1 with strong acids and bases, oxidizing or reducing
agents, or organic solvents. Gamry Instruments is not responsible for damage caused to the cell, your
laboratory, or your person by use of the PTC1 with an incompatible test solution.

Cell Setup
8
Cell Setup
1. Test your thin samples in a setup that includes the PTC1 base (a polypropylene block equipped with
four rubber feet). Place a sample on the side of the base without the feet.
2. Place the cell body on top of the sample, making sure that the O-ring fits in the groove on the cell
body. This O-ring makes a watertight seal between the cell body and the sample.
3. With the clamp, affix the glass to the base. Use
the knurled knob on the cell clamp to
compress the O-ring.
4. Fill the cell with the test solution (approximately 40 mL of solution).
5. Place the top, with the reference and counter electrode already in place, on the cell. Make sure that
the protective cap is removed from the reference electrode. With the top lightly pressed into the cell
body, you should have a watertight seal.
6. Before making the connections to the test instrument, check that the cell is not leaking from the O-ring
seal. After you are sure the cell is not leaking, connect the test instrument. The metal sample is used as
the working electrode.
Working Electrode Area
The area of the sample exposed to the test solution varies somewhat because of variation in the compression in
the O-ring and variation in the glass cell body. Gamry Instruments measured the active area to be nominally
14.6 cm2. At worst, the actual area should be within ±5% of this value.

PortHole™ Electrochemical Sample Masks
9
PortHole™Electrochemical Sample Masks
PortHole Electrochemical Sample Masks define a specified area
of a flat metal sample for electrochemical testing with the PTC1.
PortHole masks are available in areas of 1, 3, or 10 cm2to
accommodate any specimen. PortHole masks are fabricated
from vinyl 3M™ Electroplating Tape 470.
Before applying the PortHole mask, degrease the surface
using a suitable solvent. Remove the backing from the
PortHole mask and place it carefully on the metal sample.
Roll the PortHole mask over the metal sample to make
sure that the tape does not crimp around the perimeter of
the hole.
Carefully press down on the entire surface of the
PortHole mask. Pay special attention to the perimeter of
the hole: it is important to get good adhesion on the
perimeter to minimize the possibility of crevice corrosion.
Use a spatula or a round implement to press the edge of
the tape firmly against the metal sample.
Place the cell body and O-ring of the PTC1 on the PortHole mask so that the exposed area of the sample is
enclosed. Clamp the cell body firmly as described in Cell Setup, and proceed normally.
When the experiment is complete, remove the PortHole mask and discard. If the sample-electrolyte system
tends to undergo crevice corrosion, visually examine the periphery of the hole with a magnifier. If any crevice
corrosion is detected, discard the data for that sample.
If crevicing is particularly prevalent with any sample, consider the following approach. Place the sample in a
benign electrolyte and apply +0.75 volts for 60 seconds to form an oxide film. Remove the sample from the
electrolyte and dry it. Place a PortHole mask in position on the sample. Manually remove the oxide film from
the area exposed by the PortHole mask using a fine emery cloth or a pencil eraser. Perform the electrochemical
experiment.
PortHole™ masks.

Maintenance
10
Maintenance
Replacement Parts
All of the part numbers for replacement parts (except for the O-ring) are listed in Table 1. The cell
body includes an O-ring. O-rings can also be ordered separately using part number 935-00037 (a
package of five O-rings).
Reference Electrode Maintenance
It is generally best to leave both electrodes in the cell top when the cell is not in use. Use the small
protective cap shipped with the reference to cover the electrode tip if you want to store the top dry.
Many chemists believe that reference electrodes should be stored immersed in solution. If you wish to
do so, place the top on top of a beaker containing distilled water or aqueous KCl.
Move the tubing over the breather hole in the side of the electrode to allow a small opening whenever
the electrode is in use. After a long period of use, you may need to add KCl crystals to the reference
filling solution or replace the filling solution entirely.

Index
11
Index
assembly, 6
base, 7, 8
clamp, 7, 8
counter electrode, 6, 8
damage, 5
distilled water, 10
electrode area, iii, 8
Electroplating Tape 470, 9
KCl, 10
maintenance, iii, 10
O-ring, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Parts List, 5
PortHole™, iii, 9
Problems, ii
reference electrode, iii, 6, 8, 10
sample masks, iii, 9
setup, 8
stopper, 6
unpacking and checking, 5
warranty, i

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