Hydrogen permeation behavior and corrosion monitoring of steel in cyclic wet–dry atmospheric environment

Abstract

Hydrogen permeation of 16Mn steel under a cyclic wet-dry condition was investigated by Devanathan-Stachurski's electrolytic cell with a membrane covered on the exit side by a nickel layer and the weight loss was measured for each wet-dry cycle. The results show that hydrogen permeation current change with different atmospheric environment: distilled water, seawater, and seawater containing 100 ppm H 2 S. The results show that seawater can induce an increase in the hydrogen permeation current due to the hydrolyzation reaction. And after the increase, equilibrium is reached due to the equilibrium of hydrolyzation reaction effect and the block of the rust layer. On the other hand, H 2 S contamination also can induce an increase in the maximum hydrogen permeation current due to the hydrolyzation reaction. And H 2 S contamination delays the time that hydrogen permeation is detected because of the formation of the FeS (1Àx) film. The FeS (1Àx) film can block the absorption of hydrogen onto the specimen surface. The surface potential change and the pH change of the metal surface control the hydrogen permeation current. And a clear linear correlation exists between the quantities of hydrogen permeated through the 16Mn steel and the weight loss. Based on the linear correlation, we monitored the corrosion rate by monitoring the hydrogen permeation current by a sensor outside. Good coherences were shown between results in laboratory and outside.

Investigation on role of corrosion generated hydrogen in process of stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel in marine atmospheric environment

“…In order to have a better understanding of the SCC mechanisms of austenitic stainless steel in marine atmospheric condition, it is helpful to investigate the surface solution film formation processes and the hydrogen permeation during the development of corrosion. Up to date, except for carbon steel, a study on the hydrogen permeation behaviour in atmospheric conditions is rare 16 – 18…”