Direct observation of pitting corrosion evolutions on carbon steel surfaces at the nano-to-micro- scales

Guo, Peng; La Plante, Erika Callagon; Wang, Bu; Chen, Xin; Balonis, Magdalena; Bauchy, Mathieu; Sant, Gaurav

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-26340-5

Title: Direct observation of pitting corrosion evolutions on carbon steel surfaces at the nano-to-micro- scales

Journal Article · Tue May 22 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Scientific Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26340-5· OSTI ID:1500090

Guo, Peng ^[1];

^[1]; Wang, Bu ^[1]; Chen, Xin ^[1]; Balonis, Magdalena ^[1]; Bauchy, Mathieu ^[1]; Sant, Gaurav ^[1]

Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The Cl¯-induced corrosion of metals and alloys is of relevance to a wide range of engineered materials, structures, and systems. Because of the challenges in studying pitting corrosion in a quantitative and statistically significant manner, its kinetics remain poorly understood. Herein, by direct, nano- to micro-scale observations using vertical scanning interferometry (VSI), we examine the temporal evolution of pitting corrosion on AISI 1045 carbon steel over large surface areas in Cl¯-free, and Cl¯-enriched solutions. Special focus is paid to examine the nucleation and growth of pits, and the associated formation of roughened regions on steel surfaces. By statistical analysis of hundreds of individual pits, three stages of pitting corrosion, namely, induction, propagation, and saturation, are quantitatively distinguished. By quantifying the kinetics of these processes, we contextualize our current understanding of electrochemical corrosion within a framework that considers spatial dynamics and morphology evolutions. In the presence of Cl¯ ions, corrosion is highly accelerated due to multiple autocatalytic factors including destabilization of protective surface oxide films and preservation of aggressive microenvironments within the pits, both of which promote continued pit nucleation and growth. Furthermore these findings offer new insights into predicting and modeling steel corrosion processes in mid-pH aqueous environments

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Research Organization:: Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008398

OSTI ID:: 1500090

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue 1; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 27 works

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