FE modeling of the effect of conductivity in galvanic corrosion between different types of stainless steel and carbon steel in a structure bolted joint

Abstract

PurposeThis study presents a numerical modeling by the finite element method of galvanic corrosion between the bolt (cathode) and the end plate (anode). The bolt is made of three types of stainless steel: austenitic (SS304L, SS316L), martensitic (SS410, SS420) and duplex (32,101), and the end plate is made of carbon steel (S235JR).Design/methodology/approachFinite element modeling.FindingsThe results obtained show, on the one hand, that this corrosion rate increases as the conductivity increases, on the other hand, the stainless steels having the highest corrosion resistance causes a considerable loss of mass of the end plate and subsequently a decrease in the lifetime of the bolted joint.Originality/valueThe galvanic corrosion of beam to column bolted joint with end plate, used in steel structures, was studied in order to determine the corrosion rate of the end plate and subsequently to predict the total lifetime of the bolted joint.