Evolution of the Rust Layers Formed on Carbon and Weathering Steels in Environment Containing Chloride Ions

Abstract

To clarify the correlation between alloy elements and growth pattern of the rust layers, the rusting evolution of the carbon and weathering steels was investigated by using the gold markers method. The corrosion experiments were carried out in a simulated environment containing chloride ions. The results indicate that Ni, Cu, Cr and Mo elements in the weathering steel suppress the rust crystallization and impede the rust layer growth to an internal development, and the suppression function benefits the formation of a protective rust layer. Moreover, γ-FeOOH is mainly located in the outer rust layer, while β-FeOOH is mainly located in the inner rust layer, and the distribution of the rust compounds in the rust layer is closely related to the growth pattern of the rust layer.