Considerations for realistic atmospheric environments: An application to corrosion testing

Journal Article · 02 May 2023 · Science of the Total Environment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163751 · OSTI ID:2311584

Katona, Ryan Michael ^[1]; Knight, Andrew William ^[1]; Maguire, Makeila ^[2]; Bryan, Charles R. ^[1]; Schaller, Rebecca F. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)

Measured salt compositions in dust collected over roughly the last decade from surfaces of in-service stainless-steel alloys at four locations around the United States are presented, along with the predicted brine compositions that would result from deliquescence of these salts. The salt compositions vary greatly from ASTM seawater and from laboratory salts (i.e., NaCl or MgCl₂) commonly used on corrosion testing. The salts contained relatively high amounts of sulfates and nitrates, evolved to basic pH values, and exhibited deliquescence relative humidity values (RH) higher than seawater. Additionally, inert dust in components were quantified and considerations for laboratory testing are presented. The observed dust compositions are discussed in terms of the potential corrosion behavior and are compared to commonly used accelerated testing protocols. Finally, ambient weather conditions and their influence on diurnal fluctuations in temperature (T) and RH on heated metal surfaces are evaluated and a relevant diurnal cycle for laboratory testing a heated surface has been developed. Suggestions for future accelerated tests are proposed that include exploration of the effects of inert dust particles on atmospheric corrosion, chemistry considerations, and realistic diurnal fluctuations in T and RH. Understanding mechanisms in both realistic and accelerated environments will allow development of a corrosion factor (i.e., scaling factor) for the extrapolation of laboratory-scale test results to real world applications.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 2311584
• Report Number(s): SAND--2023-06366J
• Journal Information: Science of the Total Environment, Journal Name: Science of the Total Environment Vol. 885; ISSN 0048-9697
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English