Characterization of initial atmospheric corrosion of conventional weathering steels and a mild steel in a tropical atmosphere

The phases and compositions of the corrosion products of a mild steel (A-36) and two weathering steels (A-588 and COR 420) formed after 3 months exposure to the tropical marine atmosphere of Panama were examined using FTIR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results show that amorphous or crystallized iron oxyhydroxides goethite α-FeOOH and lepidocrocite γ-FeOOH are early corrosion products. Maghemite γ-Fe₂O₃ and magnetite Fe₃O₄ have also been identified and found to be prominent components for steels exposed to the most aggressive conditions. The formation of akaganeite β-FeOOH was observed when chlorides were occluded within the rust. FTIR showed the presence of hematite α-Fe₂O₃ in one sample.     

Kinetics and structural studies of the atmospheric corrosion of carbon steels in Panama

The corrosion of a carbon steel was studied in different atmospheres at sites in the Republic of Panama. The weight loss (corrosion penetration) suffered by the carbon steel is related to time by a bilogarithmic law. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated the rust was composed of non-stoichiometric magnetite (Fe_3-xO₄), maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), goethite (α-FeOOH) of intermediate particle size, lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) and superparamagnetic particles. Magnetite formation is related to the alternating dry--wet cycles. Goethite is related to corrosion penetration by a saturation type of behavior, following a Langmuir type of relationship. Goethite in rust protects steel against further atmospheric corrosion.     

The atmosphere of Titan and the Huygens atmospheric structure instrument

Summary The Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI) is a multisensor package which has been designed to measure the physical quantities characterizing the atmosphere of Titan. After a short summary of the available information on Titan's atmosphere, the HASI is described as well as its capabilities to improve our knowledge of the larger Saturnian satellite. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

The role of goethite in the formation of the protective corrosion layer on steels

The corrosion products formed on carbon and weathering steels exposed in marine, industrial and rural environments in the United States for 16 years have been investigated using M?ssbauer spectroscopy, Raman spectrometry and chemical analysis. M?ssbauer spectroscopy was used to measure the fraction of each oxide in the corrosion coatings and micro-Raman spectrometry was used to locate and map the oxides to 2 μm spatial resolution. M?ssbauer spectroscopy identified the corrosion products in the weathering steels as 75% goethite, 20% lepidocrocite and 5% maghemite. Raman analysis showed that the corrosion products generally formed as alternating layers containing different oxides. For the weathering steels the protective inner-layer closest to the steel substrate consisted of nano-sized goethite ranging in size from 5–30 nm and having a mean particle size of about 12 nm. The outer-layer close to the coating surface, consisted of lepidocrocite and goethite with the former oxide being most abundant. Electron probe micro-analysis measured significant chromium in the goethite close to the steel substrate. Comparison of the goethite in the corrosion products was made with synthetic chromium substituted goethite with nearly identical microstructural characteristics being recorded. It is concluded that chromium inclusions in the goethite are important for formation of a nano-phase oxide layer which may help protect the weathering steel from further corrosion. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Role of hydrogen in stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steels

Effects of hydrogen charging on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of 304 and 310 stainless steels under sustained load were investigated in boiling 42% MgCl₂ solution. The cracking was accelerated by the incorporation of hydrogen into the steel without altering the crack growth mechanism. The fact that the active dissolution is almost unaffected by the hydrogen charging and tensile stress indicates that the phenomenon of hydrogen-promoted SCC is unlikely a result of hydrogen-facilitated active dissolution. In contrast, hydrogen significantly promotes anodic dissolution in the potential range where the active-to-passive transition occurs. The electrochemical noise detected in the SCC process implies that the crack propagation process is discontinuous and hydrogen charging can raise the frequency of film breakdown at the crack tip. These observations suggest that the hydrogen-promoted SCC may result from the hydrogen-induced passivity degradation.     

The mechanism of oxide whisker growth and hot corrosion of hot-dipped Al-Si coated 430 stainless steels in air-NaCl(g) atmosphere

The mechanisms of oxide whisker growth and hot corrosion of 430 stainless steel (430SS) and aluminide 430 stainless steel hot-dipped in a Al-10 wt.%Si molten bath (430HDAS) were studied at 750 and 850 °C in air mixed with 500 and 990 vppm NaCl_(g). The results showed that the loose Cr₂O₃ scale which formed on the 430SS could not prevent the corrosion of 430SS in a 500 vppm NaCl_(g) atmosphere, resulting in the formation of Fe₂O₃ scale. Fe₂O₃ whiskers grew at the grain boundary of the Fe₂O₃ scale. However, no Fe₂O₃ whiskers formed on the Fe₂O₃ scale while 430SS was exposed in a 900 vppm NaCl_(g) atmosphere. During the initial high-temperature corrosion of 430HDAS in a 500 vppm NaCl_(g) atmosphere, a dense Al₂O₃ scale formed on the surface of the specimens. Also, Al₂O₃ whiskers grew on the Al₂O₃ scale. As exposure time increased, cyclic chlorination/oxidation degraded the protective aluminide layer and caused the formation of Fe₂O₃ scale and Fe₂O₃ whiskers. The morphology of Fe₂O₃ whiskers formed at 750 °C is more slender than those formed at 850 °C. The formation and growth of both Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ whiskers may be attributed to the chloridation of both the steel substrate and aluminide layer, accelerating the diffusion rate of metallic ions in the oxide scales.     

The corrosion products of weathering steel and pure iron in simulated wet-dry cycles

Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to establish the composition of the rust formed on pure iron and weathering steel after exposure to several wet-dry cycles in an SO₂-polluted atmosphere. α-FeOOH poorly crystallized andquasi amorphous ferrihydrite are identified as the main corrosion products. The rust has different particle size for iron and weathering steel samples.     

Influence of femtosecond laser marking on the corrosion resistance of stainless steels

Marking is of prime importance in the field of biomaterials to allow the identification of surgical tools as well as prostheses. Nowadays, marking is often achieved by means of laser beam, which may modify the characteristics of the treated surfaces. The use of laser devices delivering nanosecond pulses is known to induce dramatic corrosion degradations during sterilization or decontamination processes of the biomaterials. The aim of the present study is to investigate the ability of femtosecond (pulse duration in the 10⁻¹⁵ s range) laser treatments to avoid preferential corrosion processes of the marked areas, in order to extend the durability and the reliability of biomaterials. Experiments have been performed on martensitic Z30C13 and austenitic 316L stainless steels. Electrochemical measurements (cyclic polarization curves) were carried out to determine the passive state of samples before and after engraving, their corrosion rate and their susceptibility to localized corrosion. Further protracted immersion tests were also carried out to evaluate the natural long-term degradation of engraved parts. The electrochemical behavior is then explained on the basis of surface characterizations. Femtosecond laser marking is shown to provide an electrochemical ennoblement. Moreover, the chemical composition is not affected so that the passive character of both stainless steels is maintained, even improved if we consider the susceptibility to localized corrosion.     

A study of the tropical weathering of granite and peridotite using the Mössbauer effect

By Mossbauer effect we have studied the evolution of the mineralogical composition of two series of samples which represent progressive stages of laterites ples which represent progressive stages of laterites formation, under the influence of tropical weathering.     

Water vapor as an active scalar in tropical atmospheric dynamics

Water vapor is a constituent of the tropical atmosphere which, though to a significant extent locally controlled by vertical advection, precipitation, and surface evaporation, is also affected by horizontal advection. Water vapor affects the flow in turn, because a humid atmosphere supports deep, precipitating convection more readily than a dry atmosphere. Precipitation heats the atmosphere, and this heating drives the flow. Water vapor is thus a dynamically active constituent. Simplifications to the primitive equations of dynamical meteorology, based on the so-called weak temperature gradient approximation, are presented which highlight this behavior. The weak temperature gradient approximation is valid on large scales near the equator. It eliminates gravity waves, leaving only balanced dynamics, though the fundamental balance occurs in the temperature rather than the momentum equation (as is customary in most balance models of geophysical fluid dynamics). The dynamical role of water vapor is examined in a couple of idealized contexts, where either the vertical or horizontal structure of the flow is severely simplified. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.     

利用红外波段的大气消光特性测量大气水汽总量

大气总水汽量是天文观测和气象科学领域最为重要的参量之一。介绍一种测量大气水汽总量的新方法和仪器。该仪器采用电荷耦合器件(CCD)制作的光谱仪来测量日光或月光通过大气后在750nm～1000nm近红外波段的光谱，进而计算出935nm水汽吸收带相对于889nm背景的剩余强度，再根据R=0.59W函数模式求出大气水汽含量。最后讨论了水汽测量仪的定标方法、性能及其优缺点，给出了测试结果。测试结果表明：该测量仪器测量水汽方法直观，性能稳定。     

Analysis of EIS characteristics of CO2 corrosion of well tube steels with corrosion scales

The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the characteristics of CO₂ corrosion of N80 and 4Cr steels with corrosion scales. The results indicated that CO₂ corrosion scale on tube steel could prevent the rate of mass transfer remarkably, corrosion rate was controlled by ions diffusion in corrosion scale, which led to finite length diffusion impedance occurred in electrochemical impedance spectra. Additionally, pitting of N80 steel could lead to additional capacitive reactance in impedance spectrum. The ion diffusion coefficient in corrosion scale and porosity of corrosion scale could be calculated by Warburg impedance coefficient, the results shown that the value of H⁺ diffusion coefficient in N80 and 4Cr corrosion scale is (3.46 and 1.76) × 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹, respectively. The protective ability of 4Cr corrosion scale was better than that of N80 corrosion scale.     

X-rays absorption study on medieval corrosion layers for the understanding of very long-term indoor atmospheric iron corrosion

The study and prediction of very long-term atmospheric corrosion behaviour of ferrous alloys is of great importance in different fields. First the conservation of metallic artefacts in museum and the corrosion diagnosis on ferrous reinforcement used in ancient monuments since medieval times needs reliable data to understand the mechanisms. Second, in the frame of the interim storage of nuclear waste in France, it is necessary to model the long-term corrosion of low alloy steel overcontainer. The nature of phases and elements constituting the corrosion layers can greatly influence the corrosion mechanisms. On the one hand, it is crucial to precisely determine the nature of microscopic phases that can be highly reactive. On the other hand, some elements as P and S could modify this reactivity. To clarify this point and complementary to other studies using Raman micro spectroscopy technique, X-rays Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) under synchrotron radiation plays a crucial role. It allows one to precisely identify the reactive phases in the corrosion layers. Micro-XAS was required in order to refine the spatial variation, at micrometer scale, of the predominant Fe oxidation state and to characterise the corresponding corrosion products. Moreover, the role of minor elements on phase’s stability and the chemical form of these elements in the rust layer, especially phosphorus and sulphur, was investigated.     

Volatile corrosion inhibitor film formation on carbon steel surface and its inhibition effect on the atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel

A novel volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI), bis-piperidiniummethyl-urea (BPMU), was developed for temporary protection of carbon steel. Its vapor corrosion inhibition property was evaluated under simulated operational conditions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was applied to study the inhibition effect of BPMU on the corrosion of carbon steel with a thin stimulated atmospheric corrosion water layers. Adsorption of BPMU on carbon steel surfaces was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that BPMU can form a protective film on the metal surface, which protects the metal against further corrosion. The structure of the protective film was suggested as one BPMU molecule chelated with one Fe atom to form a complex with two hexa-rings.     

Mössbauer investigation of the influence of the sea atmosphere on the corrosion of steel constructions in Sochi

A study of the sea atmosphere influence on the corrosion products of steel constructions near Sochi at difference distances from the sea has been made. The phases and compositions of the corrosion products formed on different sides of steel construction elements were examined by using Mössbauer spectroscopy (at 298 and 78 K). The results show that phases and composition distributions in oxide films are different on different parts of the constructions. The differences depend not only on the distance from the sea, but from their relative orientation to the sea also. The phase structure of the oxide films on different positions is identified.     

Analysis of atmospheric gamma-ray flashes detected in near space with allowance for the transport of photons in the atmosphere

Monte Carlo simulations of transport of the bremsstrahlung produced by relativistic runaway electron avalanches are performed for altitudes up to the orbit altitudes where terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) have been detected aboard satellites. The photon flux per runaway electron and angular distribution of photons on a hemisphere of radius similar to that of the satellite orbits are calculated as functions of the source altitude z. The calculations yield general results, which are recommended for use in TGF data analysis. The altitude z and polar angle are determined for which the calculated bremsstrahlung spectra and mean photon energies agree with TGF measurements. The correlation of TGFs with variations of the vertical dipole moment of a thundercloud is analyzed. We show that, in agreement with observations, the detected TGFs can be produced in the fields of thunderclouds with charges much smaller than 100 C and that TGFs are not necessarily correlated with the occurrence of blue jets and red sprites.     

The corrosion of weathering steel by SO2 polluted atmospheres at its very early stages

CEMS was used in conjunction with AES to study the protective film formed on a weathering steel by exposure to a highly SO₂-polluted atmosphere. Ferrous species (sulphite) and ferric oxyhydroxides (ferrihydrite and α-FeOOH) were identified as corrosion products. From the correlation of CEMS and AES results the evolution with time of the different compounds is obtained, and a possible reaction sequence is outlined.     

Mössbauer study of the corrosion behaviour of pure iron and weathering steel under a wet-dry cycle

Mossbauer spectroscopy (MBS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to establish the composition of the rust layer formed on weathering steel and pure iron under several wet-dry cycles in a SO₂-polluted atmosphere. FeSO₃−3H₂O, FeSO₄−4H₂O, and poorly crystalline ferrihydrite were identified as the only corrosion products. The Mossbauer spectrum of FeSO₃−3H₂O is reported.     

Image analysis of atmospheric corrosion of field exposure high strength aluminium alloys

The corrosion morphology image acquisition system which can be used in the field was established. In Beijing atmospheric corrosion exposure station, the image acquisition system was used to capture the early stage corrosion morphology of five types of high strength aluminium alloy specimens. After the denoise treatment, wavelet-based image analysis method was applied to decompose the improved images and energies of sub-images were extracted as character information. Based on the variation of image energy values, the corrosion degree of aluminium alloy specimens was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The conclusion was basically identical with the result based on the corrosion weight loss. This method is supposed to be effective to analysis and quantify the corrosion damage from image of field exposure aluminium alloy specimens.     

Comparative Mössbauer and sem study of the corrosion reaction of iron and weathering steel in SO2-polluted atmospheres

A kinetic CEMS study of the early corrosion stages of iron and weathering steel in low (LAC) and very low (VLAC) SO₂-polluted atmospheres has been carried out. The morphology and sulphur content of corrosion products were examined with SEM-EDAX.