Effects of inclusion on corrosion resistance of weathering steel in simulated industrial atmosphere

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the atmospheric corrosion mechanism of structural materials to develop more advanced corrosion-control technologies and cost-reduction strategies. As a second phase in steels, the non-metallic oxide inclusions are considered to not only affect the mechanical properties of steel but also the corrosion resistance of steel. So, an important research goal in this paper is to investigate the indoor accelerated corrosion kinetics of Q450NQR1 weathering steel, analyzing the galvanic polarity of different inclusions in electrochemical corrosion microcell between the inclusion and steel matrix and then elucidating the influence mechanism of inclusions on corrosion resistance of weathering steel. Design/methodology/approach Two methods of inclusion modification are usually used to improve the properties of weathering steel: one is calcium treatment on aluminum killed steel and the other one is rare earth (RE) modification. Wet/dry cyclic immersion corrosion test field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) metallographic optical microscope. Findings The indoor accelerated corrosion kinetics of Q450NQR1 weathering steel could be divided into two stages with different log (thickness loss, D)-log (time, t) fitting functions, and the effect of inclusions on the corrosion resistance of Q450NQR1 weathering steel was only reflected in the initial stages of corrosion. The inclusions of CaS in Ca-modified test steel and RE oxides and sulfides in RE-modified test steel were preferentially dissolved in acid media, slowing down the corrosion rate of steel matrix, but the non-metallic inclusion Al2O3 may accelerate the corrosion rate of the steel matrix as a form of differential aeration corrosion. Originality/value The effects of inclusions on corrosion resistance of Q450NQR1 weathering steel was investigated by dry–wet cycle immersion test and FE-SEM. The effect of inclusions on the corrosion resistance of Q450NQR1weathering steel was only reflected in the initial stages of corrosion. The inclusions of CaS in Ca-modified test steel and rare earth (RE) oxides and sulfides in RE-modified test steel were preferentially dissolved in acid media, slowing down the corrosion rate of steel matrix, but the non-metallic inclusion Al2O3 may accelerate corrosion rate of the steel matrix as a form of differential aeration corrosion.