Susceptibility of stainless steel weldments to microbiologically influenced corrosion

Conference · Thu Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:62220

Borenstein, S W ^[1]

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1. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., San Francisco, CA (United States)

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is the term used for the phenomenon where corrosion is initiated or accelerated by microorganisms. Biofilms of bacteria form on metal surfaces when exposed to natural waters. The activity of these biofilms and how they attach themselves to metal surfaces directly influence corrosion mechanisms. This paper describes the mechanisms for MIC and the factors which influence the susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel weldments to MIC. The metallurgical, microbiological and electrochemical factors that influence MIC are discussed. Case histories of MIC-related failures and field test results of austenitic stainless steel weldments in various welded conditions are presented.

• OSTI ID: 62220
• Report Number(s): CONF-921101--Vol.294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
AUSTENITIC STEELS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANCE
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
FIELD TESTS
GROUND WATER
METALLURGY
MICROORGANISMS
MICROSTRUCTURE
PITTING CORROSION
STAINLESS STEELS
WELDED JOINTS