Optimizing microstructure for enhanced atmospheric corrosion resistance of a novel Ni–Mo weathering steel: A field exposure study in Thailand's tropical marine environment

Abstract

This study compares the weathering performance of steel with three microstructures: ferrite, ferrite + bainite, and bainite. The rolling and cooling processes of a novel and cost-effective Ni–Mo weathering steel (WS) were manipulated to achieve these microstructures. Validation of these microstructures was performed through field exposure tests in Trat, Thailand, representing a typical tropical marine atmospheric environment. The bainitic steel exhibited better weathering resistance. After 12-month of exposure, the corrosion rates for ferritic + bainite and bainitic steels were 105.6 % and 97.9 % respectively, compared to ferritic steel. The variation in corrosion rates confirm that modifying the microstructure, with emphases on bainite, improves the WSs' resistance to atmospheric corrosion. Changes in corrosion rate mainly depend on the rust layer's adherence. Interestingly, α-FeOOH predominantly characterizes the rust layer on the skyward side of the samples following 12-month of exposure, while the earthward side is mainly composed of Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3.