Corrosion behaviour of sensitized and unsensitized Alloy 900 (UNS 1.4462) in concentrated aqueous lithium bromide solutions at different temperatures

Duplex stainless steels can undergo microstructural changes if they are heated improperly. When that happens, duplex stainless steels are sensitized and intermetallic phases appear. The high Chromium and Molybdenum content promotes the formation of secondary phases as a consequence of the heat treatment. These secondary phases, which are rich in alloying elements, such as Cr and Mo, deplete these elements from the neighbouring phases, leading to a reduction in corrosion resistance. In order to study the influence of the secondary phases on the corrosion parameters, samples of duplex stainless steel, Alloy 900 (UNS 1.4462), have been heated in argon atmosphere at 825 °C for 1 h. The corrosion behaviour of sensitized and unsensitized Alloy 900 has been analyzed in a concentrated aqueous lithium bromide (LiBr) solution of 992 g/L by means of cyclic potentiodynamic curves. Secondary phase presence reduces the pitting potential value of Alloy 900. Besides, the pitting potential decreases with temperature. On the other hand, the corrosion potential and open circuit potential values increase with temperature and sensitization.     

硫酸盐还原菌对H68黄铜点蚀的影响

本文通过自腐蚀电位技术、交流阻抗技术以及动电位极化技术等电化学技术,研究了H68黄铜在硫酸盐还原菌中的腐蚀行为,并分析了硫酸盐还原菌的腐蚀机理和腐蚀特性.由实验结果得出,随着硫酸盐还原菌代谢活动的加强,铜电极的点蚀电位和开路电位具有一定的规律,并且H68黄铜的转移电荷呈现升降升的规律.在硫酸盐还原菌中的腐蚀行为比在无菌介质中强烈.硫酸盐还原菌代谢活动能降低溶液的pH值,破坏了铜电极表面的CuO的氧化膜,加速了铜电极的腐蚀,促进了金属的点蚀发生,使铜金属点蚀敏感性增加.     

The importance of live biofilms in corrosion protection

As observed before, Al 2024 was passive in artificial seawater (AS) in the presence of a protective biofilm of Bacillus subtilis WB600. When antibiotics were added to the AS to kill the bacteria in the biofilm, pitting occurred within a few hours as indicated by characteristic changes in the impedance spectra. The corrosion potential E_corr decreased at the same time to values observed in sterile AS. Addition of the antibiotics to sterile AS had no effect on corrosion behavior.     

Imposed potential measurements to evaluate the pitting corrosion resistance and the galvanic behaviour of a highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel and its weldment in a LiBr solution at temperatures up to 150 °C

Pitting corrosion resistance and galvanic behaviour of Alloy 31, a highly alloyed austenitic stainless steel (UNS N08031), and its weldment were studied in a heavy brine LiBr solution 1080 g/l at different temperatures (75–150 °C) using electrochemical techniques. The Mixed Potential Theory was used to evaluate the galvanic corrosion between the base and welded metals. Cyclic potentiodynamic curves indicate that high temperatures make passivation and repassivation of pits difficult, because the whole passivation range and the repassivation potential values decrease with temperature. The critical pitting transition occurs between 100 and 125 °C.     

Determination of corrosion potential of coated hollow spheres

Copper hollow spheres were created on porous iron particles by electro-less deposition. The consequent Ni plating was applied to improve the mechanical properties of copper hollow micro-particles. Corrosion properties of coated hollow spheres were investigated using potentiodynamic polarisation method in 1 mol dm⁻³ NaCl solution. Surface morphology and composition were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy (LM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Original iron particles, uncoated copper spheres and iron particles coated with nickel were studied as the reference materials. The effect of particle composition, particularly Ni content on the corrosion potential value was investigated. The results indicated that an increase in the amount of Ni coating layer deteriorated corrosion resistivity of coated copper spheres. Amount of Ni coating layer depended on conditions of Ni electrolysis, mainly on electrolysis time and current intensity. Corrosion behaviour of sintered particles was also explored by potentiodynamic polarisation experiments for the sake of comparison. Formation of iron rich micro-volumes on the particle surface during sintering caused the corrosion potential shift towards more negative values. A detailed study of the morphological changes between non-sintered and sintered micro-particles provided explanation of differences in corrosion potential (E_corr).     

1,3-Bis-diethylamino-propan-2-ol as volatile corrosion inhibitor for brass

The efficiency of 1,3-bis-diethylamino-propan-2-ol (DEAP) as volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) for brass in simulated atmospheric water was studied by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and gravimetric measurements. A significant decrease in the corrosion rate of brass was observed in the presence of DEAP. Polarization tests showed that the investigated compound was an anodic inhibitor, retarding the anodic dissolution of brass by blocking the active sites on the metal surface. The values of the charge transfer resistance, obtained from impedance plots of brass, increased with increasing inhibitor concentration and immersion time. The adsorption on the brass surface followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm model.     

Electrochemical pitting corrosion behaviour of α-brass in LiBr containing solutions

The potentiodynamic anodic polarization curve of α-brass (70% Cu-30% Zn) in 1 M LiBr solution showed an initial active region of the alloy dissolution followed by two well defined anodic current peaks then a narrow passivation region before the pitting potential (E_pit) is reached. The initial active anodic region exhibited Tafel slope with 90 mV dec⁻¹ attributed to the formation of CuBr₂⁻ complexes. The anodic current peaks were attributed to the formation of CuBr and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively. The change of pH values of LiBr solution did not affect the anodic polarization curves of α-brass. Increasing the solution temperature from 30 to 90 °C changed the corrosion type from pitting to general one. The addition of 10⁻² M benzotriazole (BTAH) to 1 M LiBr solution is completely inhibited the pitting corrosion at 30 °C while it did not inhibit the pitting at 90 °C. The inhibition effect was attributed to the adsorption of BTAH molecules on the alloy surface, which obeys Langmuir isotherm. The presence or absence of pitting corrosion was confirmed by using SEM.     

Potentiodynamic polarization behaviour of AISI type 316 stainless steel in NaCl solution

Potentiodynamic polarization behaviour of AISI type 316 SS in NaCl solution was investigated in terms of the potential scan rate effect. The critical pitting potential, E_pit, of the stainless steel appeared to be strongly dependent on the potential scan rate. A cumulative anodic electric charge density of the steel was defined as the total charge density from the open circuit potential, E_ocp, and calculated using the potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that, plotted as a function of the polarization time, the values of the cumulative charge density consisted of two lines with different slopes. It was confirmed that the deflection of the cumulative charge density vs. time plots corresponded to E_pit and the values of the cumulative charge density at the deflection were little dependent on the applied scan rate. The cumulative charge density at the deflection was defined as a critical electric charge density for the stable pitting. Also, it was suggested that this electric charge density should be associated with the critical condition for the stable pitting and the critical electric charge for stable pitting should be a representative parameter for the pitting resistance of a material.     

Passivity breakdown and stress corrosion cracking of α-brass in sodium nitrate solutions

The anodic behaviour and SCC susceptibility of pure copper and four α-brasses of different zinc alloy concentration in a 1 M NaNO₃ solution was studied by means of potentiodynamic polarisation curves and constant potential slow strain rate experiments. SCC was exclusively observed when the potential was equal to or higher than a certain critical value (E_c) at which pitting initiated under slow dynamic straining. It is concluded that the same SCC mechanism should be operating during SCC of copper and α-brasses in sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and copper (II) nitrate solutions.     

Effect of microcrystallization on pitting corrosion of pure aluminium

A microcrystalline aluminium film with grain size of about 400 nm was prepared by magnetron sputtering technique. Its corrosion behaviour was investigated in NaCl containing acidic solution by means of potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical noise (EN). The polarization results indicated that the corrosion potential of the sample shifted towards more positive direction, while its corrosion current density decreased compared with that of pure coarse-grain Al. The EN analysis based on stochastic model demonstrated that there existed two kinds of effect of microcrystallization on the pitting behaviour of pure aluminium: (1) the rate of pit initiation is accelerated, (2) the pit growth process was impeded. This leads to the enhancement of pitting resistance for the microcrystallized aluminium.     

Passivity breakdown and stress corrosion cracking of α-brass in sodium nitrite solutions

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of pure copper and four α-brasses of different zinc alloy concentration in NaNO₂ 1 M solution, at various pH values, was studied by means of potentiodynamic polarisation curves and constant potential slow strain rate experiments. The results confirmed that passivity rupture was a necessary condition for SCC of α-brass and copper in nitrite solutions. Susceptibility to SCC was observed only when the potential was equal to or higher than a certain critical value at which passivity breakdown was triggered by the slow dynamic straining of the metal. Cracks were found only in those metal areas where passivity rupture had taken place.     

Effects of flow, brass location, tube materials and temperature on corrosion of brass plumbing devices

Effects of plumbing-specific installation factors on brass corrosion were investigated in a series of pipe-loop experiments. Increased flow velocity increased corrosion rates, but did not affect corrosion type. The presence of copper tubing in the plumbing system increased selectivity of brass corrosion for zinc, unless a galvanic connection was made between copper and brass, in which case corrosion became more uniform and was accelerated. Plastic tubing allowed oxidant (i.e., free chlorine) to persist in water, increasing brass exposure. Additionally, hot water significantly increased lead leaching from brass. These findings may inform future investigations into brass corrosion issues and plumbing designs.     

Microbially influenced corrosion and inhibition of nickel–zinc and nickel–copper coatings by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The present study describes the effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the corrosion rate of nickel–zinc and nickel–copper alloy coatings. The presence of bacteria was associated with decreases in R_ct values, suggesting that P. aeruginosa promoted the corrosion of nickel–copper alloy coatings. However, R_ct values of nickel–zinc coatings increased in response to bacterial inoculation, corresponding to a decrease in corrosion rate for nickel–zinc alloy coatings. Our results suggest that the activity of P. aeruginosa facilitated the corrosion of nickel–copper alloy, while serving a protective function for the nickel–zinc alloy.     

Effect of temperature on the corrosion resistance and pitting behaviour of Alloy 31 in LiBr solutions

The corrosion resistance and pitting behaviour of Alloy 31, a high-alloyed austenitic stainless steel (UNS N08031), is studied in two heavy brine LiBr solutions (850 g/l) with and without corrosion inhibitor (lithium chromate) at different temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C, 75 °C and 100 °C) using electrochemical techniques. Cyclic potentiodynamic curves indicate that UNS N08031 is less pitting corrosion resistant and it reduces its repassivation properties as temperature increases. Comparison between the results obtained in LiBr solutions with and without inhibitor suggested a decrease in the inhibitor efficiency of lithium chromate at high temperatures.     

Effects of copper addition on the formation of inclusions and the resistance to pitting corrosion of high performance duplex stainless steels

To elucidate the effects of copper addition on the formation of inclusions and the resistance to pitting corrosion of alloys, potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization tests, a SEM-EDS analysis of inclusions, and thermodynamic calculations of the formation of inclusions were conducted. The addition of copper to the base alloy increased the number and area of numerous (Mn, Cr, (Al), (Fe)) oxides and oxy-sulfides due to an increase in the activity of chromium and resulted in decreased pitting resistance. The thermodynamic prediction of the formation of inclusions was in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Investigation of pitting corrosion of stainless steel by means of acoustic emission and potentiodynamic methods

Measurements of pitting corrosion by potentiodynamic method and also by acoustic emission technique were carried out simultaneously. Cumulative distribution function of pitting corrosion (CDF_P) occurrence was determined based on the results of potentiodynamic measurements. Independently cumulative distribution function of acoustic events (CDF_AE) was found. The correlation analysis of both distributions was also performed. The occurrence of pitting corrosion was checked by metallographic observation. The measurements proved that observable acoustic activity is an effect of hydrogen evolution inside the pits. The random character of acoustic events during polarization, statistical analysis and existence of pits are good confirmation.     

Study of the electrochemical behaviour of nanocrystalline zinc by statistical methods

Pulse electrodeposition was used to synthesize nanocrystalline (NC) zinc coatings from citric acid bath. The electrochemical behaviour of the NC zinc coatings was investigated by using potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization methods in 0.5 mol/L NaCl (pH = 12) solution and compared with that of cast zinc. Pitting corrosion behaviour was characterized by pitting potential, induction time and stable pit growth rate which were analyzed according to statistical method. The results showed that nanocrystallization increased the sensitivity of E_pit refer to potential sweep velocity, changed the type of the pit generation from B1 (parallel) to B2 (series), accelerated the pitting initiation process and inhibited the stable pit growth process of NC zinc.     

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in simulated concrete pore solutions: Effect of carbonation and chloride content

The corrosion susceptibility of as-received reinforcing steel bars (rebars) in solutions simulating the pore liquid of alkaline and carbonated concrete has been studied by means of potentiodynamic polarisation tests and polarisation resistance measurements. The effect of different degrees of carbonation and the presence of several chloride contents in the simulated pore solutions was investigated. Results show the beneficial effect of high alkalinity on the localised corrosion of steel caused by chloride ions. From the results of the potentiodynamic tests a critical chloride concentration above which pitting could take place was evaluated for each solution. The chloride threshold values here found are of the same order than those previously reported in the literature for film-free steel. The results obtained in solutions simulating carbonated concrete showed that under weak carbonation conditions carbon steel does not passivate while in the presence of high levels of carbonate and bicarbonate the resistance to localised corrosion is improved.     

Pitting corrosion of artificially aged T6 AA2024/SiCp composites in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution

The pitting corrosion behavior of the underaged (UA), peakaged (PA) and overaged (OA) T6 AA2024/0, 8, 14, 19, 24 vol.% 40 μm SiC_p(particles) composites was studied. The processing route used for the materials was the compocasting technique. Corrosion potentials (E_cor), pitting potentials (E_pit) as well as protection potentials (E_prot) were extracted from Double Cycle Polarization (DCP) curves contacted in aerated 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. In addition 40 days immersion tests carried out and weight loss curves as well as total pit depth measurements were acquired. Pitting initiation and propagation as the main corrosion mechanism was driven by the aging kinetics which is ruled by the reduction in the retained vacancy concentration and at the same time by the increase in dislocation density as SiC_p volume fraction increases. Thus, alteration in pitting behavior among composites of different SiC_p content took place, although their ageing status was exactly the same.     

Effect of Geobacter sulfurreducens on the microbial corrosion of mild steel, ferritic and austenitic stainless steels

The influence of Geobacter sulfurreducens was tested on the anaerobic corrosion of four different steels: mild steel 1145, ferritic steel 403 and austenitic steels 304L and 316L. Within a few hours, the presence of cells induced a free potential (E_oc) ennoblement around +0.3 V on 1145 mild steel, 403 ferritic steel and 304L austenitic steels and slightly less on 316L. The kinetics of E_oc ennoblement depended on the amount of bacteria in the inoculum, but the final potential value depended essentially on the nature of the material. This effect was due to the capacity of G. sulfurreducens to create a direct cathodic reaction on steel surfaces, extracting the electrons directly from material. The presence of bacterial cells modified the corrosion features of mild steel and ferritic steel, so that corrosion attacks were gathered in determined zones of the surface. Local corrosion was significantly enhanced on ferritic steel. Potential ennoblement was not sufficient to induce corrosion on austenitic steels. In contrast G. sulfurreducens delayed the occurrence of pitting on 304L steel because of its capability to oxidize acetate at high potential values. The electrochemical behaviour of 304L steel was not affected by the concentration of soluble electron donor (acetate, 1–10 mM) or the amount of planktonic cells; it was directly linked to the biofilm coverage. After polarization pitting curves had been recorded, microscopic observations showed that pits propagated only in the surface zones where cell settlement was the densest. The study evidenced that Geobacter sulfurreducens can control the electrochemical behaviour of steels in complex ways that can lead to severe corrosion. As Geobacteraceae are ubiquitous species in sediments and soils they should now be considered as possible crucial actors in the microbial corrosion of buried equipment.