Initiation Mechanism of Localized Corrosion Induced by Al2O3-MnS Composite Inclusion in Low-Alloy Structural Steel

Abstract

The present work systematically investigated the initiation mechanism of localized corrosion induced by Al2O3-MnS composite inclusion in E690 steel under a simulated marine environment. The results showed that a micro-gap exists between the Al2O3-MnS inclusion and the matrix, and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis revealed significant lattice dislocation zones around the Al2O3-MnS composite inclusion. The presence of the micro-gap and the lattice dislocation both promoted the localized corrosion initiation. The Volta potential of Al2O3 detected by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) was approximately 149.33 mV higher than that of the steel matrix, and the Volta potential of MnS was 10 mV lower than that of the steel matrix. The current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CSAFM) results showed that the Al2O3 was not conductive, while the MnS had good conductive properties. Therefore, it was not possible for a galvanic couple to be formed between Al2O3 and the adjacent steel matrix. A galvanic couple effect between the MnS and the adjacent steel matrix was directly demonstrated for the first time. The MnS acted as the anode phase for preferential dissolution in the corrosion process. The in situ immersion experiments and the Pourbaix diagram results confirmed that the dissolution of MnS was an electrochemical reaction process and the dissolution of Al2O3 was a chemical reaction.