Comparative study of the passivity and the breakdown of passivity of polycrystalline iron in different alkaline solutions

Electrochemical Investigations of Steels in Seawater Sea Sand Concrete Environments

Seawater and sea sand concrete (SWSSC) is an environmentally friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete for civil construction. However, the detrimental effect of high chloride content of SWSSC on the corrosion resistance of steel reinforcement is a concern. This study undertook the electrochemical corrosion behaviour and surface characterizations of a mild steel and two stainless steels (AISI type 304 and 316) in various simulated concrete environments, including the alkaline + chloride environment (i.e., SWSSC). Open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. Though chloride is detrimental to the corrosion resistance of mild steels, a simultaneous presence of high alkalinity in SWSSC negate the detrimental effect of chloride. In the case of stainless steels, a high level of alkalinity is found to be detrimental, whereas chloride seems to have less detrimental effect on their corrosion resistance.

An overview of mechanisms by which sulphate-reducing bacteria influence corrosion of steel in marine environments

This communication provides an overview of the literature on the biocorrosion of steel in marine media, influenced by the presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Electrochemical aspects, microbial interactions within biofilms, the significance of medium composition and the role of iron sulphides, and hydrogen effects are discussed. A brief description of recent experiments involving the use of electrochemical techniques for corrosion assessment, surface studies employing energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microprobe complemented with electron microscopy observations, as well as the application of novel techniques, such as micro sensors and atomic force microscopy, is given. The growth of SRB in marine environments causes significant modifications of many physicochemical parameters at the steel/seawater interface, including local changes in pH and redox potential values, variations in anion and cation concentrations and alteration of the composition and structure of corrosion products. Complex chemical and biological reactions and equilibria are also markedly altered during bacterial proliferation. These effects, which are absent in abiotic media, often lead to significant changes in the corrosion behaviour of steel. The complicated nature of the local environment at the steel/seawater interface is enhanced in the presence of microorganisms and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). As a consequence of biofilm heterogeneity, areas with different ion concentrations are formed and the development of corrosion product layers of dissimilar protective characteristics occurs.