Atmospheric corrosion of ordinary mild steel in the Arabian Gulf environment

Abstract

AbstractAtmospheric corrosion tests were carried out on mild steel to study its corrosion behaviour in the Arabian Gulf environment. Results of exposure tests indicate that the atmospheric attack proceeds in a paralinear fashion during the first year of exposure. S.E.M. examination of the oxide scale showed extensive porosity, spallation and cracking with the appearance of platelike structures close to pitted sites. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of γFeOOH, αFeOOH, αFe2O3 and Fe3O4. EDX analysis disclosed that specimen surface contaminants are primarily constituents of sea spray.