Corrosion Behavior of a Low-Carbon Steel in Simulated Marine Splash Zone

doi:10.1007/s40195-017-0535-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Experiments were designed to simulate the corrosion of a low-carbon steel exposed to a marine splash zone. The composition and morphology of the rust were investigated using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Corrosion resistance of the rust films was demonstrated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The wettability of the steel surface was calculated from the data concerning the wetting degree and the conductivity. The results showed that, in the initial stage, the products of the outer rust layer were mainly made up of Fe(III) oxyhydroxide, while the main component of the inner rust layer was magnetite. With an increase in the corrosion time, the inner rust layer continuously turned into the outer rust layer. In addition, both rust layers became dense, thus playing a protective role with respect to matrix. The existence of the rust layer significantly prolonged the residence time of the seawater on the sample surface, a result that tends to improve the cathodic protection effect for steel structures exposed to marine splash zones.

Key words: Marine splash zone, Low-carbon steel, Corrosion behavior, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Wetting degree

Huan-Huan Wang, Du Min ?. Corrosion Behavior of a Low-Carbon Steel in Simulated Marine Splash Zone[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2017, 30(6): 585-593.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig. 1 Circuit diagram for testing the wetting conditions of steel samples exposed to a splash zone

Fig. 2 Micro-corrosion morphologies of Q235 steel after different times of exposure to a splash zone: a 15-d outer layer; b 15-d inner layer; c 30-d outer layer; d 30-d inner layer; e 45-d outer layer; f 45-d inner layer

Table 1 Composition (at. %) of the rust grown on the Q235 steel after 30-d exposure to a simulated marine splash zone

	O	Fe	Cl	Mg	Ca	Na
Outer layer	43.87	9.91	10.04	2.66	0.63	9.93
Inner layer	44.46	21.39	0.59	0.48	0.13	1.20

Fig. 3 Raman spectra of the corrosion product films grown on the Q235 steel exposed to a marine splash zone: a 10-d outer and inner layer; b 30-d outer and inner layer

Fig. 4 XPS spectra of Fe 2p and O 1s for the surface of the corrosion product film formed on the Q235 carbon steel exposed to a simulated marine splash zone for 30 d: a outer layer of Fe; b outer layer of O; c inner layer of Fe; d inner layer of O

Table 2 Measured and theoretical B.E. of O 1s and Fe 2p of the corrosion product film formed on the Q235 carbon steel exposed to a simulated marine splash zone after 30 d

Compound	Measured B.E. (V)	Theoretical B.E. (V)	Deviation B.E. (V)
Fe₃O₄ (Fe 2p_1/2)	723.71	723.50	0.21
Fe₃O₄ (Fe 2p_2/3)	710.37	710.20	0.17
Fe₃O₄ (O 1s)	531	529.80	0.30
FeOOH (Fe 2p_1/2)	724.49	724.30	0.19
FeOOH (Fe 2p_2/3)	711.65	711.50	0.15
FeOOH (O 1s)	531.43	531.70	0.27

Fig. 5 Nyquist plot of Q235 samples exposed to a marine splash zone in different test cycles

Fig. 6 Equivalent circuit for Q235 samples exposed to a simulated marine splash zone. Rsresistance of solution; CPEout, CPEin capacitance of the outer and inner rust layer; Rout, Rin resistance of the outer and inner rust layer

Table 3 Impedance parameters of Q235 after different exposure times

t	R_s	CPE_out (n)	R_out	CPE_in (n)	R_in	R_ct
(d)	(ohm cm²)	(mF cm^-2)	(ohm cm²)	(mF cm^-2)	(ohm cm²)	(ohm cm²)
10	5.73	0.096 (0.54)	6.27	0.80 (0.66)	42.5	589
15	6.11	0.026 (0.53)	24.74	1.1 (0.15)	18.7	44.8
30	6.88	0.0042 (0.69)	46.84	1.05 (0.61)	28.6	309
45	6.33	0.039 (0.45)	33.06	0.63 (0.68)	57.7	55.7
60	6.25	0.049 (0.40)	72.14	0.048 (0.74)	55.7	230

Fig. 7 Changes with time of resistance and capacitance for the inner and outer rust layer grown in a simulated marine splash zone: a outer layer; b inner layer

Fig. 8 Change of Rr with time

Fig. 9 Changes of the wetting degree of the rusted steel surface during a drying process of 6 h

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