The effect of stress on the corrosion behaviour of mild steel in alkaline solutions

The influence of stress, type of aggressive anion and anodic current density on the corrosion behaviour of mild steel in lime water has been studied. Under open circuit condition the passivity of steel in lime water containing low concentrations of C1?, SO₄^2? or S^2? ions was impaired by the application of stress. In the presence of high concentrations of these ions corrosion was enhanced by the application of stress. Sulphide ions were found to be more dangerous than C1- or SO₄^2? ions at the free corrosion potential. With anodic polarization, S^2? ions are inhibitive both in the absence and in presence of stress. In early stages at low current densities, the anodic process was stimulated by the application of stress.