Abstract
Using a period immersion wet/dry cyclic corrosion test, in-situ copper-coated steels prepared by corroding copper-bearing steels were investigated in this study. The steel with a higher copper content (>3%) has a higher initial corrosion rate due to its obvious two-phase microstructure. The corrosion rates of all copper bearing steels tend to be stable after a certain time of corrosion. A copper-rich layer is formed between the matrix and the rust layer, which is due to the diffusion of copper from the rust layer to the metal surface. The copper’s stability under this corrosion condition led to the formation of a thin copper-rich film, which was uncovered after removing the rust by choosing appropriate descaling reagents. The copper coating was generated from the matrix itself during the corrosion process at 25 °C, which provided a new approach for producing in-situ composite materials without any bonding defect. It is found that the corrosion rate, corrosion time, and copper content in steel all affect the formation of copper-rich layer. In addition to the noble copper surface, the electrochemical corrosion test results show that the corrosion resistance of copper-coated steel has been significantly improved.
Highlights
The corrosion rates of all copper bearing steels tended to be smooth after a certain period of corrosion
(2) A complete copper coating was obtained on the surfaces of the steels after a periodic immersion wet/dry cyclic corrosion test
The oxidation of the matrix and the diffusion of copper atoms at the interface formed a quasi-layered structure consisting of the matrix, copper coating, and upper rust layer
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Copper accumulates in steel when steel scrap is reused, because it is difficult to remove copper in steelmaking processes [1]. With the increase in the amount of scrap steel being used, it is imperative to study the application of copper in copper-bearing steels. Much research has been done to produce copper cladding on a steel surface using various methods. With its unique physical, chemical, mechanical, and physiological properties, has an important role in the lives of humans, and it has an important application in many industrial and technical fields. Copper has been used both as an intermediate or undercoating, and as a top coat material [2]
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