Corrosion of Three Commercial Steels Under ZnCl2 –KCl Deposits in a Reducing Atmosphere Containing HCl and H2S at 400–500°C

The corrosion of three commercial steels in a reducing atmosphere containing HCl plus H₂S in the presence of ZnCl₂–KCl deposits has been investigated at 400–500°C and compared with the corrosion of the same materials in a similar gas mixture free from H₂S. The presence of H₂S in the gas accelerated the corrosion of the three commercial steels beneath ZnCl₂–KCl deposits. All materials suffered from severe corrosion with partial detachment and spalling of the external scales. Degradation of the steels resulted from the penetration of chlorine-containing species through the scale formed initially down to the metal matrix, because chorine-rich species were detected close to the alloy/scale interface. Although the corrosion resistance generally increased with increasing Cr content, even the high-Cr stainless steel SS304 is still unable to provide good corrosion resistance against the ZnCl₂–KCl deposits in the presence of H₂S due to the bad adherence of the scales to the alloy. The mechanisms of attack are discussed on the basis of thermodynamic considerations and of the active-oxidation model.