Corrosion mechanisms of steel concrete moulds in contact with a demoulding agent studied by EIS and XPS

The behaviour of E24 mild steel was studied by XPS analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a filtered solution of cement (pH 13), and an alkyl N-aminodiphosphonate aqueous solution called Aquadem^® (7?pH?13). XPS results showed that the corrosion products developed in both media consisted of Fe₂O₃, covered by a very thin layer of goethite. The thickness of this oxide layer was estimated to be 3 nm. XPS analysis also demonstrated the adsorption of Aquadem^® on the outer layer of FeOOH for pH lower than the zero charge pH of goethite (7.55). From XPS and EIS results, physical models of the E24 steel/electrolyte interface are proposed as a function of pH. For 11?pH?13, the steel is covered by a passive film, while for pH?10, pitting corrosion takes place. At pH 7, an additional mass transport phenomenon must be taken into account. The fitting procedure provided values for several physical parameters (electrolyte resistance, passive film resistance), from which the film capacitance and the dielectric constant of the oxide layer were calculated.     

Gamma-radiation-induced corrosion of carbon steel in neutral and mildly basic water at 150 °C

The effect of γ-radiation on the kinetics of carbon steel corrosion has been investigated by characterizing the oxide films formed on steel coupons at 150 °C and at two pH values. Results show that continuous irradiation enhances surface oxide formation with the type of oxide formed dependant on the solution pH. For experiments at 150 °C and a [OH⁻] equivalent to that for pH_{25 °C} = 10.6, the surface oxide on carbon steel after γ-irradiation was non-porous and uniform, and no localized corrosion was observed. This oxide, however, appears to be susceptible to brittle fracture during cooling. Raman spectroscopy of the surface film indicates that it is a mixture of the phases of Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃. In contrast, at 150 °C with [OH⁻] equivalent to neutral pH_{25 °C}, metal dissolution is significant and the surface oxide film is very porous. Raman spectra show that this oxide film is also composed of a mixture of Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O_3. The results from this work combined with previously reported electrochemical studies of the same system as a function of pH and temperature can be used to deconvolute the effects of radiation, pH and temperature on the nature of the corrosion process.     

Corrosion of carbon steel in concentrated LiNO3 solution at high temperature

The corrosion of carbon steel in concentrated LiNO₃ solution at high temperature was investigated by a weight loss method. Results showed that increasing temperature and pH would increase the corrosion rate, and increasing concentration and adding Li₂CrO₄ would reduce the corrosion rate. The corrosion in LiNO₃ solution was general corrosion and the corrosion products were composed of Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃. A compact passive layer comprising of Cr₂O₃, Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ was observed with adding Li₂CrO₄, and it could effectively depress the corrosion. The carbon steel corrosion in LiNO₃ solution was much smaller than that in LiBr solution.     

The corrosion protection of mild steel by polypyrrole/polyphenol multilayer coating

Electrochemical synthesis of very thin polyphenol (PPhe) film was achieved on polypyrrole coated mild steel electrode (MS/PPy) and a multilayer coating was obtained, cyclic voltammetry technique was used for the synthesis. The corrosion performance of this multilayer coating and single PPy coating were investigated in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ solution by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), anodic polarization curves and open circuit potential (E_ocp)-time curves were used. It was found that the multilayer coating could provide much better protection than the single PPy coating for corrosion of MS for much longer periods and an efficiency of 98.3% was determined for this coating after 340 h exposure time in corrosive medium. It is proposed that the very thin PPhe film coated on top of PPy coating lowered the porosity and improved the barrier effect of the coating significantly.     

Electrochemical study on hot corrosion of Si-modified aluminide coated In-738LC in Na2SO4-20 wt.% NaCl melt at 750 °C

The corrosion performance of the slurry Si-modified aluminide coating on the nickel base superalloy In-738LC exposed to low temperature hot corrosion condition has been investigated in Na₂SO₄-20 wt.% NaCl melt at 750 °C by combined use of the anodic polarization and characterization techniques.The coated specimen showed a passive behavior up to −0.460 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 mol fraction) reference electrode, followed by a rapid increase in anodic current due to localized attack in the higher potential region. In the passive region, the anodic dissolution of constituents of the coating occurred through the passive film, probably SiO₂, at slow rate of 20-30 μA/cm². The passive current for the Si-modified coating was two orders of magnitude smaller than that for bare In-738LC, which is known as Cr₂O₃ former in this melt. This indicates that the SiO₂ film is chemically more stable than Cr₂O₃ film under this condition. However, pitting-like corrosion commenced around −0.460 V and proceeded at the high rate of 100 mA/cm² in the higher potential region than +0.400 V. The corrosion products formed on the coating polarized in different anodic potentials were characterized by SEM, EDS and XRD. It was found from the characterization that oxidation was dominant attack mode and no considerable sulfidation occurred at 750 °C. The SiO₂ oxide was not characterized in the passive region because the thickness of the passive film was extremely thin, but was detected as the primary oxide in the localized corrosion region, where the selective oxidation of Al was observed by further progress of the corrosion attack front into the inner layer of coating.     

Effects of solution pH and Cl on electrochemical behaviour of an Aermet100 ultra-high strength steel in acidic environments

In this work, the effects of solution pH and Cl⁻ on the electrochemical behaviour of an Aermet100 ultra-high strength steel in 0.5 M (Na₂SO₄ + H₂SO₄) solution were studied by polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. The results show that, when solution pH is below 4, the steel is in the active dissolution state, and corrosion current decreases with the increase of pH. There exists a critical pH value, above which the steel is passivated. Moreover, the oxides and hydroxides of Fe, Co, Ni and Cr are the primary components of the passive film. With addition of Cl⁻, pits are initiated on the steel electrode.     

An ultrathin polymer coating of carboxylate self-assembled monolayer adsorbed on passivated iron to prevent iron corrosion in 0.1 M Na2SO4

For preparing an ultrathin two-dimensional polymer coating adsorbed on passivated iron, a 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was modified with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Protection of passivated iron against passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron was investigated by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements in an aerated 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution during immersion for many hours. The time required for passive film breakdown of the polymer-coated electrode was markedly higher in this solution than that of the passivated one, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown by coverage with the polymer coating. The protective efficiencies of the passive film covered with the coating were extremely high, more than 99.9% in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ before the passive film was broken down, showing prominent cooperative suppression of iron corrosion in the solution by coverage with the passive film and polymer coating. The polymer-coated surface was characterized by contact angle measurement and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA). Prevention of passive film breakdown and iron corrosion for the polymer-coated electrode healed in 0.1 M NaNO₃ was also examined in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄.     

XPS analysis of the passive film formed on austenitic stainless steel coated with conductive polymer

Improvement of the passivation behavior of Type 304 austenitic stainless steel (SS) by coating with conductive polymers (CPs), like polyaniline (PANI) and poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD), followed by exposure in an acid solution has been demonstrated. The passive films formed on SSs (after peeling off the polymer layer) are compared with those formed during anodic polarization under the same exposure condition. The passive films beneath the CPs are thicker and less hydrated than those formed on uncoated stainless steel. The polymer layer enhances the enrichment of chromium and nickel in the entire passive oxide, forming a more protective film than that formed during anodic polarization. The elemental distribution within the passive film is different in the two modes of passivation. The type of the polymer influences on the composition of the passive film. The best passivation is obtained by PoPD, with the passive film resulting in significant resistance of the SS to pitting corrosion in the 3% NaCl solution. The oxide film of this steel is characterized, in its inner and outer layers, by the highest ratio of Cr(OH)₃/Cr₂O₃ and the lowest content of iron species.     

Influence of pH on the passivation behavior of 254SMO stainless steel in 3.5% NaCl solution

The potentiodynamic polarization measurement of 254SMO stainless steel (UNS 31254) was conducted in 3.5% NaCl solutions with pH ranging from 0.1 to 5. The results indicated that this stainless steel offered excellent pitting corrosion resistance in corrosive environments. Further, it also exhibited various features on the polarization curves in different pH solutions. The electrochemical constant-potential passivation treatment performed at different pH followed by XPS analysis revealed that the primary constituents of the outermost layer of the passive films formed in the weak (pH 5) and strong (pH 0.8) acid solutions are iron oxides and Cr₂O₃ and Cr(OH)₃, respectively. Molybdenum oxides, primarily in the six-valence state, existed in the outermost layer of the passive film. Only very weak signals corresponding to that of nickel oxides were detected in the film formed in the weak acid (pH 5) solution. The ICP-MS analyses indicated selective dissolution of a significant amount of Fe and a few Mo and Ni ions during the passivation treatment in the strong acid (pH 0.8) solution. No Cr dissolution was observed; this indicated that the Cr in the film is relatively stable. XPS depth profiling results showed that a similar bilayer-structured film was formed in both the solutions (pH 0.8 and 5); the outer layer of this film is primarily composed of Cr(OH)₃ and Mo(VI), and the inner layer, Cr₂O₃ and Mo(IV). The results of the examinations of passive film formations and dissolution by XPS and ICP-MS were consistent with the polarization curves.     

Protection of passivated iron against corrosion in a 0.1 M NaNO3 solution by coverage with an ultrathin polymer coating of carboxylate SAM

An ultrathin, ordered and two-dimensional polymer coating was prepared on passivated iron by modification of 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Protection of passivated iron against passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron was examined by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements in an aerated 0.1 M NaNO₃ solution during immersion for many hours. Passive film breakdown on the polymer-coated electrode in the solution was not observed during immersion for 480 h, whereas that of the passivated one occurred at 18.1 h, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown by coverage with the polymer coating. The protective efficiencies of the passive film covered with the coating were extremely high, around 99.9% in the initial region of the immersion time up to 72 h and more than 98.3% thereafter, indicating prominent cooperative suppression of iron corrosion in 0.1 M NaNO₃ by coverage with the passive film and polymer coating. The polymer-coated surface was characterized by contact angle measurement and electron-probe microanalysis.     

Corrosion and passivation mechanism of chromium diboride coatings on stainless steel

The corrosion resistance of fully crystalline CrB₂ coatings magnetron sputtered onto AISI 316L stainless steel was tested in acidic solutions. CrB₂ coatings showed excellent corrosion protection, but suffered a breakdown when an anodic potential of greater than about +1 V (SHE) was applied to the surface in a 1 M HCl electrolyte. The coating failure at high potentials is attributed to transpassive dissolution of the coating at volume defects, enabling the electrolyte to reach the underlying 316L substrate, resulting in its rapid corrosion and subsequent fracturing of the coating. Electrochemical data and potential-pH (Pourbaix) diagrams, constructed from thermodynamic data, indicate that the corrosion resistance of CrB₂ is due to the formation of a Cr(III) oxide passive film in the absence of activation corrosion.     

Influence of Zn on oxide films on Alloy 690 in borated and lithiated high temperature water

To clarify the corrosion control effect of Zn injection into hydrothermal environments, the oxide films on Alloy 690 in the deaerated borated and lithiated water have been investigated using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectra at 300 °C and ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With Zn injection in the solution, ZnCr₂O₄ and ZnFe₂O₄ were formed in the inner and outer layers of the oxide films on Alloy 690, respectively, through exchange reactions between Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺/Ni²⁺. A simple model for oxide film structure change and the mechanism of corrosion inhibition by Zn injection is proposed and discussed.     

On the corrosion behaviour of phosphoric irons in simulated concrete pore solution

The corrosion behaviour of three phosphoric irons P₁ (Fe-0.11P-0.028C), P₂ (Fe-0.32P-0.026C) and P₃ (Fe-0.49P-0.022C) has been studied in simulated concrete pore solution (saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution) containing different chloride concentration. This has been compared with that of two commercial concrete reinforcement steels, a low carbon steel TN (Fe-0.148C-0.542Mn-0.128Si) and a microalloyed corrosion resistant steel CS (Fe-0.151C-0.088P-0.197Si-0.149Cr-0.417Cu). The beneficial aspect of phosphoric irons was revealed from potentiodynamic polarization experiments. The pitting potentials and pitting nucleation resistances for phosphoric irons and CS were higher than that for TN. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies revealed thickening and growth of passive film as a function of time in case of phosphoric irons and CS in saturated Ca(OH)₂ pore solutions without chloride and in the same solution with 0.05% Cl⁻ and 0.1% Cl⁻. In case of TN, breakdown of passive film resulted in active corrosion in simulated pore solution containing 0.1% Cl⁻. Linear polarization resistance measurements complemented EIS results. Visual observations indicated that phosphoric iron P₃ was immune to corrosion even after 125 days of immersion in saturated Ca(OH)₂ solution containing 5% NaCl. The good corrosion resistance of phosphoric irons in simulated concrete pore solution containing chloride ions has been related to the formation of phosphate, based on ultraviolet spectrophotometric analysis and Pourbaix diagram of phosphorus-water system.     

Characterization of corrosion of X70 pipeline steel in thin electrolyte layer under disbonded coating by scanning Kelvin probe

Scanning Kelvin probe technique was used to characterize the electrochemical corrosion behavior of X70 steel in a thin layer of near-neutral pH and high pH solutions, respectively. Results demonstrate that passivity can be developed on steel in the near-neutral pH solution layer as thin as 60 μm, which is attributed to the fact that Fe²⁺ concentration in aqueous phase could reach saturation in the thin solution layer. The solubility of FeCO₃ is reached to drop out of solution as a precipitate. With the increase of solution layer thickness, it becomes more difficult for Fe²⁺ concentration to reach saturation. Consequently, the passivity cannot be maintained, and the steel shows an active dissolution state. Anodic dissolution rate of steel increases with the immersion time. The electrochemical polarization behavior of X70 steel in high pH solution is approximately independent of the solution layer thickness and immersion time. In thin solution layer, diffusion and reduction of oxygen dominate the cathodic process, as demonstrated by the presence of cathodic limiting diffusive current. In the bulk solution, the absence of limiting diffusive current density in cathodic polarization curve indicates that the main cathodic reaction is reduction of H₂CO₃ and , and the formed film is thus mainly FeCO₃.     

Corrosion of X65 steel in CO2-saturated oilfield formation water in the absence and presence of acetic acid

Electrochemical corrosion behavior of X65 steel in CO₂-saturated formation water in the absence and presence of acetic acid was studied by electrochemical measurements, scanning vibrating micro-electrode (SVME), localized electrochemical impedance spectroscope (LEIS) and surface analysis techniques. It is found that, when steel is immersed in formation water, the dissolution of Fe dominates the anodic process and the steel is in active dissolution state. Adsorption of intermediate product on the electrode surface results in generation of an inductive loop in the low frequency range of EIS plot. As corrosion proceeds, the concentration of Fe²⁺ in the solution increases. When the product of [Fe²⁺] × [] exceeds solubility product of FeCO₃, FeCO₃ will deposit on the electrode surface, and protects the steel substrate from further corrosion. The steel is in a “passive” state. When the electrode surface is completely covered with FeCO₃ film, the inductive loop in the low frequency range disappears. In the presence of acetic acid in formation water, the cathodic reaction will be enhanced due to the direct reduction of undissociated acetic acid. Addition of acetic acid degrades the protectiveness of corrosion scale, and thus, enhances corrosion of steel by decreasing the FeCO₃ supersaturation in solution.     

Glass coatings on stainless steels for high-temperature oxidation protection: Mechanisms

The oxidation behavior of a martensitic stainless steel with or without glass coating was investigated at 600–800 °C. The glass coating provided effective protection for the stainless steel against high-temperature oxidation. However, it follows different protection mechanisms depending on oxidation temperature. At 800 °C, glass coating acts as a barrier for oxygen diffusion, and oxidation of the glass coated steel follows linear law. At 700 or 600 °C, glass coating induces the formation of a (Cr, Fe)₂O₃/glass composite interlayer, through which the diffusion of Cr³⁺ or Fe³⁺ is dramatically limited. Oxidation follows parabolic law.     

Corrosion protection of magnesium alloy AZ31 sheets by spin coating process with poly(ether imide) [PEI]

In the present study, the potential of poly(ether imide) as corrosion protective coating for magnesium alloys was evaluated using the spin coating technique. The influence of different parameters on the coating properties was evaluated and the corrosion behaviour of the coatings was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The best corrosion protection was obtained preparing the coatings under N₂ atmosphere, using 15 wt.% solution in N′N′-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) which resulted in a coating of approximately 2 μm thickness, with an initial impedance of 10⁹ Ω cm² and of 10⁵ Ω cm² after 240 h of exposure to a 3.5% NaCl solution.     

Kinetic modelling of the attenuation of carbon steel canister corrosion due to diffusive transport through corrosion product layers

This work models the attenuation of the corrosion of carbon steel canisters due to the influence of diffusive transport through the corrosion product - a growing film of magnetite. The model makes use of an algorithm based on the analytical solution of 1D diffusion equations for the movement of Fe²⁺, H₂, H₂O and OH⁻ through this magnetite film.     

Corrosion behaviour in alkaline medium of zinc phosphate coated steel obtained by cathodic electrochemical treatment

The present work evaluated the ability of zinc phosphate coating, obtained by cathodic electrochemical treatment, to protect mild steel rebar against the localized attack generated by chloride ions in alkaline medium. The corrosion behaviour of coated steel was assessed by open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The chemical composition and the morphology of the coated surfaces were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Cathodically phosphated mild steel rebar have been studied in alkaline solution with and without chloride simulating the concrete pore solution. For these conditions, the results showed that the slow dissolution of the coating generates the formation of calcium hydroxyzincate (Ca(Zn(OH)₃)₂·2H₂O). After a long immersion time in alkaline solution with and without Cl⁻, the coating is dense and provides an effective corrosion resistance compared to mild steel rebar.     

Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in sodium chloride solution by some zinc complexes

The corrosion inhibitive effect of zinc acetate, zinc acetylacetonate and zinc gluconate on the mild steel immersed in 3.5% NaCl solution was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed superiority of zinc gluconate whilst zinc acetate showed inferior corrosion inhibition. The surface of the samples exposed to the inhibited solutions was analyzed using XRD and SEM techniques. The pH measurement of the test solutions before and after corrosion, also before and after addition of Fe⁺² and Fe⁺³ revealed that the superior inhibition of zinc gluconate is related to formation of insoluble corrosion products on the mild steel surface.