Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0398
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0398
+44 1478 350008
Junhua Dong, Xuehui Hao, Jie Wei and Wei Ke
Institute of Metal Research, CAS, China
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Phys Chem Biophys
Statement of the Problem: Low carbon steel with the microstructures of ferrite and pearlite phases is the most widely used engineering structure material, in which pearlite with a typical lamellar structure consisting of alternating layers of ferrite and cementite (Fe3C) plays an important role in the mechanical properties of steel. However, the electrical contact of Fe3C as a cathode site and ferrite site as anode in electrolyte can cause the galvanic corrosion due to which the corrosion resistance of steels can be rapidly deteriorated. The purpose of this study is to describe the sustained effect of the remaining cementite on enhancing the corrosion deterioration and the effect of several added alloy elements on retarding the corrosion of low carbon steel in an acid solution. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Immersion tests, X-ray diffraction, micromorphology observation, potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit potential monitoring and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was utilized in this study. Findings: The results show that, with extending the immersion time, the preferential dissolution of the exposed ferrite resulted in a lot of cementite accumulation on the steel surface, which enhanced the galvanic effect and hence accelerated the corrosion. The promoted anodic dissolution of ferrite phases was controlled by charge transfer process, while the hydrogen evolution reduction occurred on cementite was controlled by the diffusion process. For 16MnCu steel, elemental Cu precipitated as the nano-sized particles on the steel surface, which improved the corrosion resistance of the steel by weakening the galvanic effect between the ferrite and cementite sites. Moreover, trace of alloy elements of Sn or Sn-Mo could improve the corrosion resistance of AH32 steel, which is also ascribed to that Sn or Sn-Mo could retard the galvanic corrosion between the ferrite and cementite phases. Sn and Mo should exist as the metallic state and were uniformly distributed on the steel surface.
Junhua Dong is a Professor working in the Institute of Metal Research (IMR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He has his expertise in electrochemical corrosion principle of metals. His primary research aim is to solve various industrial and natural environmental corrosion problems. His research interests has been focused on: the evaluation of atmospheric corrosion evolution of low alloy steels; the study of developing cost effective weathering steel and marine corrosion resistant steel; the design of waste containers for the underground geological disposal of high level nuclear wastes in China; the study of marine corrosion in tidal zone and deep sea; the evaluation of concrete corrosion; the study of magnesium corrosion and protection by alloying and coating technique; the evaluation of corrosion inhibitors; electrochemical corrosion monitoring for various corrosion environments. He has taught the course of electrochemical corrosion principle of metals to the graduate students for 14 years.
Email: jhdong@imr.ac.cn