Hastelloy C-276 Rod Pseudo-Reference Electrode

This Hastelloy C-276 stainless steel rod has a 0.25″ OD and 8″ length, and is useful as an alternative reference electrode for corrosion experiments where a standard aqueous reference electrode may be unstable or unwanted.  It also has a recess in the top that allows secure insertion of a standard 4 mm banana plug found on most potentiostat cell cable leads.

Many corrosion testing environments consist of standard, aqueous brine (with or without added corrosion inhibitors) and may simply use a single junction silver chloride reference electrode.  Other systems, for example, may have CO₂ or other gases being constantly bubbled, where gas bubbles may block reference electrode frits and cause poor data quality.  Another example is systems that contain an emulsion, or combination of both non-aqueous (e.g., oil, BTX, etc.) and aqueous phases.  The non-aqueous phase can often irreparably damage or clog the frit on an aqueous reference electrode.

Adapters are available that fit around the Hastelloy C-276 rod and enable the electrode to be fitted into both 14/20 or 24/25 ports.