Chromium-molybdenum steel (16Mo3) is widely used in petroleum, gas, automotive, and construction industries due to its good oxidation resistance and mechanical properties at moderately elevated temperatures. The aim of the research was to evaluate the corrosion susceptibility of 16Mo3 steel in hot rolled and aluminized states. Aluminization was performed by diffusion pack aluminization process at 900?C/2h and 730?C/4h, respectively. Electrochemical corrosion testing included measuring open circuit potential (EOCP), linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in potassium phosphate buffer (KH2PO4, pH = 7). Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) have been used for surface layer microstructure characterization before and after corrosion tests. It has been demonstrated that corrosion resistance of aluminized steel is increased substantially. Corrosion properties are related to the structure and properties of intermetallic phase (FeAl, FeAl2 and Fe2Al5) formed on the surface of 16Mo3 steel.

In the case of a two‐part container for spent nuclear fuel, consisting of an iron‐based inner structure with a copper coating, the potential perforation of copper through minor damage may result in intensive galvanic corrosion between copper and steel. The present work focuses on the corrosion of steel galvanically coupled to copper and exposed to a slightly saline environment under oxic conditions. The electrochemical processes on individual electrodes were monitored by coupled multielectrode arrays (CMEAs). The CMEAs were either in contact with groundwater saturated with bentonite or immersed in groundwater only. Very high galvanic corrosion currents were detected between carbon steel and pure copper in the early oxic phase. Additionally, the use of CMEAs further made it possible to monitor the distribution of cathodic currents around the steel electrode, which behaved anodically. Various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques were applied to identify the modes of corrosion and the type of corrosion products present at the end of the period of exposure.