The corrosion behavior of Cu/Cr containing tube pile steel in half-immersion environment

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the corrosion behaviors of tube pile steel with the addition of 0.2 per cent Cu and 0.2 per cent Cu-0.2 per cent Cr in half-immersion environment. Design/methodology/approach The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of tube pile steel with different alloy-elements addition were identified using the polarization curve method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. Corrosion product and its morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy. Findings Results indicate that the most serious corrosion occurred in the liquid-air interface zone due to the higher oxygen and water concentration. With the addition of Cu and Cu-Cr, pits were getting smaller and denser, transforming the corrosion type from pitting corrosion to uniform corrosion gradually. Rust layer containing Cu/Cr tended to compact and inhibited the anodic process, while the enrichment of Cu/Cr in rust layer decelerated the dissolution of substrate, thus the expanding of pits was suppressed. Originality/value This paper studied the corrosion behaviors of liquid-air interface zone of tube pile steel and verified the transformation of corrosion type with adding Cu, Cu/Cr elements.