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Effects of cathodic protection on duplex stainless steels in seawater

Journal Article · · Corrosion
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3280465· OSTI ID:458223
; ;  [1]
  1. Weir Materials, Ltd., Manchester (United Kingdom)

Available data on embrittlement of duplex stainless steels (DSS) under cathodic protection (CP) in seawater, including some data previously unpublished, was reviewed. Results show hydrogen enters duplex alloys at typical protection potentials ({minus}1 V{sub SCE}), but that the risk of failure is very low. The austenite phase tends to block cracks in the ferrite, and very high stresses are needed to produce fracture of the austenite or austenite-ferrite phase boundaries for crack propagation to occur. The smaller the grain size, the more resistant DSS is to embrittlement. Current design stresses for duplex alloys are well below stresses needed to produce failure. Service experiences with cathodically protected DSS were reviewed, and the few failures explained. At normal protection potentials, the risk of failure of DSS from hydrogen embrittlement (HE) is extremely low.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
458223
Journal Information:
Corrosion, Journal Name: Corrosion Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 53; ISSN 0010-9312; ISSN CORRAK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English