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Microbial corrosion of metals exposed to air in tropical marine environments

Journal Article · · Materials Performance
OSTI ID:376278
;  [1];  [1]
  1. U.A. Campeche (Mexico). Programa de Corrosion del Golfo de Mexico

Carbon steel plates were exposed for 12 months to the marine tropical atmosphere of Campeche, located in the southeast corner of the Gulf of Mexico. The corrosion products of steel were analyzed monthly, using scanning electron microscopy aided with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The main meteorological parameters and the NaCl and SO{sub w} deposition rates also were recorded monthly. The FTIR and SEM-EDS morphology, compound, and composition studies indicated amorphous oxyhydroxide and leidocrocite formed during the first months of exposure. From five to nine months, when relative humidity mean value was 75%, goethite was clearly detected. Filaments, channels, and other unusual inorganic morphologies were observed at the steel samples surfaces having spots of high carbon contents, around 65 wt% by SEM-EDS analysis and FTIR C-O bondings typical of organic material. These corrosion products could be associated to microbially induced corrosion activity.

OSTI ID:
376278
Journal Information:
Materials Performance, Journal Name: Materials Performance Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 35; ISSN MTPFBI; ISSN 0094-1492
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English