Abstract
The indirect method for the determination of polarization curves for oxygen reduction (1) is applied to the following metals: aluminum, zinc, magnesium, nickel, iron, silver, copper, tin, and lead. The first three metals favor hydrogen peroxide production. With the other metals only small amounts of hydrogen peroxide were detected. Polarization curves for oxygen reduction are compared with conventional curves. Equilibrium conditions for anodic processes are derived from thermodynamic data for some of the metals investigated. Possible consequences of the production of hydrogen peroxide in corrosion reactions are briefly discussed.